Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Thursday laid the foundation stone for construction of a Rs 5 crore indoor practice facility for cricket and a gymnasium here.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 5.35 crore and will be funded by the BCCI.
Speaking at the event, Sangma assured the Meghalaya Cricket Association and cricket lovers that the state government has identified land for coming up with a state-of-the-art international standard stadium and develop sports facilities.
"We will keep a space for cricket in the games village (to be built for National Games 2022) but we need the support of the BCCI," the chief minister said.
He said that National Games 2022 is important as the state will celebrate 50th year of statehood while the country will also be celebrating 75 years of Independence.
"It is a challenge to push sports infrastructure but we will ensure that the games village will be an example for others to follow," he said.
Ganguly said, "I am happy to be here to be part of the ceremony."
He urged the children to aim high and be someone like MS Dhoni.
"Who would have thought that a small kid from Ranchi would captain the country for over 300 international matches," Ganguly said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)