MMTA to hold separate activities from Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2019: Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) has announced that it will hold separate youth adventure and water sports activities, which were a part of Manipur Sangai Tourism Festival in the past, citing a fall out with the State Tourism Department.

Speaking to media persons at MMTA office at Munithong today, its president Bijoy Kakchingtabam said that since the beginning of Manipur Tourism Festival in 2006 (before it became Manipur Sangai Festival in 2009), MMTA contributed in promoting the festival by means of holding various adventure and water sports activities from time to time.

He said that the funds for the sport activities come directly from the Ministry of Tourism and MMTA did not take any money from the State Government.

He announced that MMTA has decided to not organise the adventure activities as a part of this year's Sangai festival due to the irresponsible officers who are ignorant of the role and importance of adventure and water sports activities as well as the humiliating attitude shown by the State Tourism Department.

Bijoy continued that on October 25, the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the adventure and water sports events and out of the said amount, 50 percent had to be provided for construction of the required structures.

But till date, not a single rupee has been sanctioned by the Tourism Department for organizing the adventure and water sports events, he alleged.

He continued that it is very unfortunate that the State Tourism Department is presently run by those who know nothing about the importance adventure and water sports trend in development of tourism around the world.

Some months back, MMTA submitted two project proposals to the Ministry of Tourism for holding the 1st International Adventure Sports Meet in Manipur and for the construction of Tensing Park, he said.

MMTA submitted the proposals to the State Tourism Department as well for necessary processing and regarding this, the MMTA members even held a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren in September and the CM had instructed the Director of the Tourism Department to do the needful.

However, the Tourism Department failed to take up the necessary paper works for the said projects and only recently, the projects were put up to the Tourism Commissioner (after delaying for more than 2 months), he claimed, asking if the Director of the Department is above the Chief Minister.

He said that considering the reality, MMTA decided to hold its own separate youth adventure and water sport festival and for this, MMTA will send a letter to the Ministry concerned for much needed assistance.

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