Govindas vows sports infrastructures in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service
Ukhrul, January 30 2023:
Youth Affairs & Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that the government of Manipur under the leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh has taken steps to develop the public ground and other sports infrastructures in Ukhrul town.
"The government has put up a proposal to the ministry of MOBC for developing the Ukhrul ground and other sports infrastructures at a cost of Rs 50 crore and this will certainly materialise very soon," minister Govindas announced while speaking as chief guest of the 1st Winter Games 2023 here on Monday.
He said that the government has also submitted another proposal of Rs 20 lakh to the Youth Affairs & Sports ministry for the construction of a hall for Ukhrul district badminton association (UDBA).
According to the minister, these initiatives are being taken up by the state government under the leadership of CM Biren who has a vision for transforming Manipur.
Stating that Manipur is known as the 'powerhouse of sports in India,' he said that Manipur with 19 Olympians and three medallists has not only made the country proud but also brought laurels for the entire country.
He reiterated that the government is committed to develop sports infrastructures in every nook and corner of the state to promote sports and guide the youngsters towards discipline and healthy lifestyle under the CM's vision through which different schemes including open gyms have been initiated across the state.
Highlighting the government's plan for promoting basketball and volleyball from next year, Govindas announced that most players would be selected from Ukhrul and Senapati districts, for which selection will commence from April this year.
He then asked the Olympic associations of Ukhrul and Kamjong to find young boys and girls with good height (not fess than 6 ft) from their respective jurisdictions so that they could be sent to other places like Haryana and Punjab for training.
The Minister also announced that the state already has a national sports academy and from next year, talent hunts would be conducted in all the districts to select talented players for enrolment in the institute under the vision of Khelo India.
He lauded the Olympic associations of Ukhrul and Kamjong for organising the winter games and incorporating 11 sporting disciplines out of the 24 disciplines allowed in the Olympic Games.
The minister also expressed elation over the fact that the Olympic associations of Ukhrul and Kamjong participated with sporting spirit in the recent 2nd Manipur Olympic Games 2022.The opening ceremony of the sporting event, which will continue till February 4, was also attended by former deputy speaker and organising committee WG23 convenor Preshaw Shimray, ADC Ukhrul Chunglenmang Kipgen, Colonel Manoj Shinde, Major Rahul Chawla, Major Josephine, PWD Ukhrul EE Garnish Kashung and Ukhrul additional SP Sameer and others.