The Meghalaya Chief Minister – Conrad Sangma on Thursday, inaugurated the three-days-long ‘Rising Sun Water Fest 2022’ at Umiam Sports Complex.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Meghalaya CM commended the organizers, noting that a water festival of such magnitude is being organized in the state for the first time. The maiden boating regatta is hosted amid the scenic landscape of Umiam Lake under the aegis of Indian Army’s Kolkata-based Headquarters Eastern Command.
The Indian Army and the government of Meghalaya as a part of Khelo India programme, is organizing the rowing and sailing event for the first time.
“Meghalaya is blessed with abundant natural beauty in terms of its water bodies. We are blessed with lakes waterfalls and environmental beauty yet we have not been able to take full advantage of it in terms of really allowing people to be part of it and enjoy it and also be able to create tourism opportunities out of it,” he said.
“The government had in the last few years in spite of the challenges due to COVID and the brief stall to Tourism activities, has tried to take advantage of such natural assets and create livelihood opportunities for the people of the State while ensuring that Meghalaya becomes one of the most preferred tourist destinations,” – he further added.
Besides, it is the endeavor of the government to make such events an international annual event. The event will witness participation from elite pan India clubs. Various other attractions such as local cultural expo, food fest, art and craft exhibition along with water sports are some of the highlights of the water fest.
Taking to Twitter, the Meghalaya CM wrote “Inaugurated the Rising Sun Water Fest 2022 as part of @kheloindia organised by @adgpi & the Govt. of Meghalaya at Umiam Sports Complex. Great to see the boating regatta on the scenic Umiam Lake with participants from elite clubs from all over the country. I wish all the participants the very best. May the best club win!”
I wish all the participants the very best. May the best club win! pic.twitter.com/NaAjYk20Bf
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 3, 2022
