Meghalaya welcomed the Chefs de Mission (CDM) of the seven visiting states that will be taking part in the 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022, which Shillong will host this month.
Separately, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met with the Rangbah Shnongs (headmen) of localities of Shillong to ensure all stakeholders partake in making the event a grand affair for all the participants that we will be welcoming from our sister states of the North East.
The CDM was welcomed by Commissioner and Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, and CEO of NEOG 2022, Dr Vijay Kumar D.
The purpose of the meeting was to welcome the participating teams, to share the planning aspects of the games, the services and amenities being made available to all states in regards to accommodation, transport, reception, security, catering, etc.
The CDM were pleased to be hosted by the Meghalaya government and were thankful to them and the Meghalaya State Olympic Association for organising the ‘solidarity games’ and are looking forward to sending their athletes to Meghalaya, with the football teams the first scheduled to arrive over the weekend.
Additionally, a review meeting was held today, chaired by Dr Vijay, with the relevant committees that are in charge of various aspects of the Games. The committees gave an up-to-date account of their progress and any hurdles they are experiencing.
On the ground, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Games, Banteidor Lyngdoh, undertook an extensive inspection of the venues, starting with the MFA Turf in Polo Ground, where he also met with and encouraged the Meghalaya U-17 women’s football team players ahead of the start to their competition. He then inspected the progress of the work at the weightlifting and wrestling events and all those at the SAI Training Centre and NEHU.
Earlier in the day, medical personnel, coaches and other sports officials received a day’s intensive orientation to prepare them for the Games at U Soso Tham Auditorium.
With over 2,000 athletes expected for the mega event from around the North East, medical provision will be a major undertaking in order to treat any injuries and keep the players fit.
Today’s orientation programme covered a variety of subjects from expert resource persons.
The event was inaugurated by Smti RM Kurbah, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare. The other dignitaries included Director of Health Services Dr HC Lyndem and Shri Finely Pariat, General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association.
The chairperson of the programme was Dr Adreena Lyngdoh, District Medical and Health Officer of East Khasi Hills.
Dr NP Laloo, Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon, covered classification of injuries, management of common injuries and transportation to nearest health facility.
Dr Bhaskar Borgohain, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at NEIGRIHMS, dwelt on types of sports injuries and management of common fractures and dislocations encountered during sports events.
Dr Ankush Gupta of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) also gave a presentation on anti-doping and prohibited list of substances, while Dr Robert R Marak and Dr Apurba A Marak covered basic life support.
