NEC fund boost to sports in State: World class football academy on the cards
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 15 2012:
A world class football academy is being proposed to be set up in the State, according to NEC Chairman and Union Minister of State In-charge, Pawan Singh Ghatowar.
Ghatowar was speaking at the inaugural function of a three-day seminar on development of sports in the North Eastern States cum felicitation of London Olympians from NE today at MFDC Auditorium, Palace Compound.
The seminar is being jointly organised by Manipur Olympic Association and Youth Affairs and Sports department.
He further said that not only a world class football academy is proposed to be set up in the State, the Government has also been providing assistance to the Mary Kom Boxing Academy.
Stating that sports policy in the North East has been looked after time to time, Ghatowar urged the sports department of each state to apprise their problems to the higher level while also assuring to help in solving the problems.
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He also urged the concerned officials to closely monitor whether the funds sanctioned for the development and promotion of sports are being utilised in a judicious manner.
While pointing out that talent search scheme has been implemented to identify sporting talents among the youth, Ghatowar said recognising talented sports persons would surely pay dividend for the State.
Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural programme, Chief Minister O Ibobi said many talented youth of the State have migrated to other States, PSUs and organisation due to limited avenue available in the State.
Manipur has the distinction of being a power house of sports.
The felicitation of London Olympians from NE at this juncture when there is a resurgence of confidence is timely, O Ibobi said.
The CM also exhorted the sports persons to strive for excellence at the Rio Olympics in 2016 while reposing faith on the sports persons of the region to bring laurel to the region as well as the country.
Manipur has always been proud of producing Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awardees.
The people of the region are proud to add another distinction � Olympic medallist with Mary Kom winning a Bronze medal in boxing at the London Olympics, he said.
CM O Ibobi added that with a view to broad base promotion of sports, the Government of Manipur has taken up establishment of mini-sports complexes in all the hill district headquarters and in the valley districts of Bishnupur and Thoubal and Jiribam sub-division with financial assistance from DONER under NLCPR and under Plan through SPA.
Bronze medallist of London Olympics, 2012 Mary Kom was awarded a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh while Olympians from the North Eastern states were awarded Rs 5 lakh reward each on the occasion.
Among the 10 Olympians, Mary Kom, L Devendro, Ng Soniya Chanu of Manipur; Shiva Thapa of Assam, Chekrovoulu Swuro of Nagaland were present on the occasion.