Imphal (DIPR): Chief Minister N. Biren Singh maintained that the State Government as a people’s Government has been giving utmost emphasis on the sports sector. He continued that the State is facing various challenges from drug menace, which is posing much threat to the youths and society and as such, sports movement is very necessary to save the youths.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the observance of Sanaroishingee Numit, 2023 organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports on Saturday at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
Continuing his speech, Biren further stated that Sanaroishingee Numit (Players’ Day) is being observed across the State in recognition of the dedication and achievements of the veteran sportspersons of the State. He maintained that the State Government has been taking up various initiatives to develop the sports sector in the State.
He informed that Mary Kom Boxing Academy had been opened and another academy for Laishram Sarita had also been opened and the State Government is in process to construct a hostel for the academy. He further informed that funds had also been allocated to the budget for setting up of a Training Centre for Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
Stating that many football players from the State are representing the Country, he disclosed that the government had concluded its talk with the All-India Football Federation to set up a football academy in the State.
Mentioning the Manipur Olympian Park constructed in Sangaithel to honour the State’s Olympians, the Chief Minister stated that the park will also have an excellence training centre to provide training facilities. He went on to inform that a football stadium, with a crowd capacity of 75,000 people, will be constructed in Imphal West with the Indian Railway and land had been identified for the same. Another eight football grounds will be constructed under PM-DevINE.
Biren stated that a pension scheme for unemployed sports persons and coaches of 60 years and above who have represented the State at National and International level had been launched. Informing that Manipur Start Up 2.0 had been launched, he said that coaches who are interested in setting training classes or an academy for providing training in certain disciplines may apply in Start Up scheme. He said that Chief Minister’s Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang (CMAST) had been launched with an outlay of Rs. 7.36 crore.
The Chief Minister also advised the young players on the importance of taking both education and sports along to achieve success in life. He also stressed on the need for proper planning and systematic way in grooming the young sports players of the State to achieve more medals in different tournaments. He urged all the stakeholders of the sports sector to do away with self-interest and work as a team to develop the sports sector for our future generations.
Delivering his presidential speech, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that the State had been observing Sanaroishingee Numit since 2000, to mark the achievement of the players of the State in the 5th National Games hosted by the State.
He said that Manipur is a strategic tiny State and is known to others for its contribution in the field of games and sports. As such, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the decision to set up the National Sports University in the State, acknowledging the dedication of the veteran sports persons of the State, he added.
Speaking on the achievements of the sports players of the State, he stated that Manipur has so far produced 19 Olympians and the biggest number of Olympians in terms of per capita. The Minister also appreciated the Chief Minister for taking up certain initiatives to develop the sports sector and asked the sports players to take this opportunity in developing the sector.
During the programme, four seniormost players of the State were honoured and felicitated. The players were footballer L. Nabakumar, footballer Laishram Ramkumar, seniormost athletic player H Jamuna Devi and footballer N. Ramjoy Singh. Coaches of Regular Coaching Classes (RCC) were also felicitated.
The Chief Minister also felicitated Gold Medal Winners of Khelo India Youth Games 2023 held in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister also flagged off a players’ run, participated by many young players of the State, as a part of the observance.
President of Manipur Olympic Association Dr. Th. Radheshyam Singh, Principal Secretary (YAS) SS Chhabra, Director (YAS) T. Phullen Meitei, Olympians, renowned sports personalities and young players were also present at the event among others
