THE SRGT’S ASSOCIATION WITH SPORTS BODIES
SRGT AND SHILLONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION (SSA)
In the year 1916, the General Sports Committee, an agency representing the SRGT and with the knowledge and consent of the Trust, allowed the SSA,through mutual understanding, to make use of what is now the 1st Ground for sporting activities. While the SSA ran the tournaments on the 1st Ground, the G.S.C. took care of the maintenance of all the playing fields. The Trust continued running the horse races, polo, (hence the name Polo Ground for the area), horse riding, cricket etc. The arrangement with the G.S.C. lasted till August 1976 when the S.R.G.T. terminated the agency agreement with the General Sports Committee. Thereafter, in August 1976 and at the request of the SSA, the SRGT made a direct arrangement with the SSA for use of the 1st ground. Following many informal agreements in the intervening years, a 30 year lease agreement, effective from 1st January 2012, was agreed upon and signed on the 21st February 2017.
Over the years the Trust had always been very accommodating when it came to helping the SSA. The last instance was in 2014 when the SSA requested for a long strip of land measuring 2 meters wide for erecting the gallery at the 1st ground – this was given with no hesitation and had this not been given, the erection of the gallery in its present place would not have been possible. Extra land was also given along the road leading to the stadium, the bit lying between the gallery and the road was also leased out so that SSA could erect a proper wall.
Over the last 100 years except for a few minor ups and downs, cordial relations were maintained between the Trust and the SSA and efforts were always made to solve the problems amicably.
SRGT AND STATE SPORTS COUNCIL (SSC)
Similarly, when the government wanted land for their Sports Directorate, it was the Trust that came forward and offered about 29 acres of land vide a lease agreement signed in 1979 at a nominal rent of `2000.00 per year – this is now the J.N. Complex. The signatories on behalf of the Trust were Mr. S.D.D. Nicolas Roy, M.L.A., Mr. Maham Singh, M.L.A., Mr. Ramesh Chandra, Chief Secretary and Mr. H.W.T. Syiem, Deputy Commissioner who were all Trustees, while on behalf of the SSC, Mr. V.S. Jaffa I.A.S., Secretary Education and Mr. Wood Sohliya, Secretary, did the signing.
SRGT AND MEGHALAYA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (MFA)
In 2009, Meghalaya Football Association was looking for land to put up the
State’s first astro turf field and, again it was the S.R.G.T. that stepped in and offered land at the 3rd ground vide an agreement signed on the 10th July, 2010 at a nominal rent of `1000.00 per year for 30 years and this was done so as to encourage sports.
THE SRGT’S OTHER ASSOCIATION
The Trust also sponsors deserving sports activities and sports persons for training under certain conditions. Every year the Trust provides generous financial support to the Pynthorumkhrah Golflinks Higher Secondary School located on land given by the Trust.
In the last few years the Trustees noted the lack of space for recreational activities in Shillong when the Trust was under great pressure to allow holding of various functions like fetes, concerts, church services etc. including the celebration of Independence and Republic days, on the 2nd Ground. To ease the pressure on the 2nd Ground and to preserve it for sports, the Trust decided to develop the river side area so that the above activities can be held without disturbing the playing field.
