Meghalaya: Artificial Football Turf Replaces Mining-Scared Landscape

SHILLONG: Coal mining has been one of the sources of income for the rural public in interior Meghalaya and it was very decremental to the environment of the region. So much so that the regions where the coal mining was done lost almost all the greenery due to unscientific mining.

The regions of Khliehriat and Ladrymbai have been the main hubs of coal mining for many years and the environment received almost irreparable damage. But now a new initiative has changed the landscape of the region for good.

A fresh green patch has been put up in Khliehriat, which is the district headquarter of East Jaintia Hills. Located at about 100 km distance from the state capital, artificial grass has been used to create a football field. Even though it does not do much to solve the damages caused by years and years of rat-hole coal mining, it definitely helps the local enthusiasts of the game.

The Finance Minister of Meghalaya, Kyrmen Shylla inaugurated this new patch for the enthusiasts. It is also the first astroturf field in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.

"I was overcome by emotion inaugurating the football stadium on the land my father, C. Sympli donated decades ago," mentioned the minister while speaking during the event.

He also stood witness to the inaugural match in the new arena. In the match between East Jaintia District Football Association and the Combined Team of Headmen, Officers and the Legislator. The match reached a 3-3 draw at the end of the regulation time and as well as the extra time. In the shootout that followed, East Jaintia District Football Association managed to win with a 4-3 score.

The stadium was built with a total cost of around Rs 2.5 Cr. out of which Rs 20 Lakh was donated by the Finance Minster of Meghalaya.

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