Shillong, June 17: In an apparent ridicule, Meghalaya Opposition leader Conrad Sangma today offered Rs 25,000 for uplifting a stadium here after the ‘poor' state government cited shortage of funds for being unable to upgrade facilities to make it fit to hold I-League matches.
Unhappy at the ground condition and other facilities at the J N Stadium, the Asian Football Confederation has recently set September deadline for the upgrading the stadium, especially the turf, failing which it would be declared unfit to hold Lajong FC's home matches in the I-League.
Sports Minister BM Lanong had said it would be difficult to meet the deadline as there was shortage of funds and weather was not conducive.
“The government is poor, we should help it. If 50,000 people pay Rs 200 each, a corpus of Rs 1 crore can be generated. If the stadium is fit, the fans don't have to spend Rs 1,000 and go to Guwahati to watch a match,” Sangma said.
“Initiatives are being taken by individuals and private companies. The government just has to lend a helping hand. I have decided to give Rs 25,000 of my salary to the sports department for the upgradation work of the stadium,” Sangma said, displaying a cheque which was later handed over to the state sports director.
Sangma, who is also the president of the Meghalaya Cricket Association, appealed to Lajong fans to donate money for the work and not depend on the ‘poor government'. PTI
