Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 27:
The State Government has formulated a plan to develop the State's indigenous games and extend equal benefit to the players at par with recognized games and sports athletes.
An official order to this effect have already been issued by the State Youth Affairs and Sports Commissioner S Budhachandra, informed an official source.
Indigenous games like kang, mukna, mukna-kangjei, sagol kangjei, yubi lakpi and martial arts (Thang-Ta) under the initiatives of State Youth Affairs and Sports Department have been elevated to the status of category A sports disciplines and its outstanding players awarded at par with other sports-persons of the same grade.
As part of the new sports policy exhibition tours would be conducted outside Manipur'to popularise indigenous games of the State, informed the source.
Regarding the benefits, the source maintained that indigenous games medal winners at State level championships would be accorded similar recognition as toppers at other sports discipline at the national level competitions for recruitment opportunities as class III/IV employees.
Medal winners at these indigenous games would be awarded under the 'Incentive State Sports Award Scheme' to encourage them for their achievement and honoured during the 'Players' Day' celebration, it said.