Shillong, July 22: The Dorbar Shnong Pynthorumkhrah Golf Links has appealed to the Meghalaya Government to adopt a more inclusive approach to sports funding by prioritising mass participation disciplines such as football and cricket over golf, particularly in the context of investments linked to the National Games.
The appeal was made through a formal representation submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. Speaking to reporters at the Dorbar Shnong office on Wednesday, Rangbah Shnong Michael Hek said the memorandum was endorsed by the Executive Committee following consultations with local residents and reflects the collective sentiment of the community.
Hek acknowledged the State Government’s efforts to promote Meghalaya as a sporting destination and its initiatives to host major sporting events. However, he expressed concern over what the Dorbar Shnong described as the disproportionate allocation of public funds towards golf, arguing that the sport remains inaccessible to the majority of the state’s population.
According to the representation, while golf enjoys international recognition, its high costs—including equipment, coaching, club membership and access to golf courses—place it beyond the reach of most people in Meghalaya.
The Dorbar Shnong contended that government funding directed towards the Shillong Golf Club in preparation for the National Games would primarily benefit a limited section of society, as golf continues to be a sport largely accessible to a privileged few.
In contrast, the memorandum highlighted that thousands of children and youth across Meghalaya actively participate in football, cricket, athletics, volleyball, basketball and other community-based sports despite facing inadequate infrastructure, limited facilities and a shortage of sporting equipment.
The Dorbar Shnong argued that greater investment in these widely played sports would create opportunities for a larger number of young athletes from both urban and rural areas to develop their skills and compete at state, national and international levels.
The representation clarified that it does not oppose golf or seek to diminish the legacy and significance of the Shillong Golf Club. Instead, it called for a more balanced and equitable distribution of public resources, with increased emphasis on sports that are affordable, accessible and capable of benefiting a broader section of society.
Concluding the appeal, Hek urged the Chief Minister to give due consideration to the representation and enhance government funding, infrastructure and support for mass participation sports, particularly football and cricket, to ensure that every child in Meghalaya has an equal opportunity to pursue sporting excellence regardless of economic background.
