There was a lot of positive energy and the 12th South Asian Games would be a grand success, and Shillong should set the benchmark for others, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Thursday.
Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya) are co-hosting the South Asian Games from February 6-16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Games on Friday in Guwahati.
Sangma, who inspected the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex and First Ground, Polo, which will play host to many disciplines, said Meghalaya was also preparing to bid to host the National Games in 2022, which would coincide with the 50th year of its statehood.
"We hope to ensure that the South Asian Games helps us create positive stories and connect us with the rest of the world," he said.
"We must ensure that whoever are visiting from across these eight participating nations have the best time here and we are geared up to ensure that," he added.
Sangma also appreciated the enthusiasm shown by the volunteers and others working behind the scenes to make the Games a great success.
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"I see that we are really prepared. Everybody is geared up and I see lots of excitement from the people preparing the venues. There is lots of positive energy flowing and the event is going to be a grand success. Shillong should set the benchmark for others," Sangma said.
On Meghalaya preparing to bid to host the National Games, he said: "I have advised all departments and stakeholders, including the State Olympic Association, sports department and finance department, to prepare."
"I am pretty sure that it will be befitting for the people of the state to prepare ourselves as a really capable and competent state," he said.