Ri Bhoi (Meghalaya) [India], March 6 (HBTV): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has dedicated the foundation stone for the construction of an artificial football turf at the Umbuda Football Ground in Ri-Bhoi district. 

The infrastructure is being created at an estimated cost of INR 10.93 crore. 

Addressing the program on Tuesday, Conrad K Sangma said youngsters can excel in sports and bring laurels to the state if only opportunities were provided to them. 

"This is the commitment of the government that we will continue to invest in sports and sports infrastructure," he said. 

Sangma said that a project worth INR 700 crore is currently being implemented for the creation of different sports infrastructure in the state and close to INR 400 crore is being sanctioned for the implementation of sports infrastructure. 

The Meghalaya chief minister said the government has budgeted INR 2,800 crore for the youth budget. Sangma said it includes sports, music, culture and entrepreneurship, which are aimed at tapping the potential of the youth. 

"It is not just in sports, music, entrepreneurship or culture and things that you are passionate about, but even in social sectors like education and health, the government is very focused on ensuring that we provide the best possible services that we can," he added.   

"Around 20 artificial turf playgrounds are coming up in rural areas of the state, including several track and field stadiums," he added. 

Sangma announced that Ri-Bhoi district will soon have a track and field stadium. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for brevity and clarity.