Works Minister fetes Arjuna awardee Kangujam Chinglensana
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2019: Work Minister Th Biswajit has stated that 4 mini stadiums for hockey will be set up in Thongju AC to help produce more valuable hockey players in the State.

The Minister made the statement during a felicitation ceremony of Kangujam Chinglensana, who is the first men's hockey players from North East India to receive Arjuna Award, at his official residence at Sanjenthong today.

At the event, Th Biswajit conveyed that construction work for one mini stadium which will be administered by SEYO has begun, adding that 3 more similar stadiums will be set up within Thongju AC after locating the suitable/preferable places.

Works Minister fetes Arjuna awardee Kangujam Chinglensana

Apart from installing the mini stadiums, lodging facilities for players and officials from other places will also be constructed, he said, maintaining that due processes are also on the way to hire a coach from Netherlands to train the local players.

The mini-stadiums will surely become a hub for the hockey professionals after the construction work is completed as the place (Thongju) is familiar with the game of hockey since a long time with MEIRAA, SEYO and EYC have come of age and continued to produce many prominent players till now including Chinglensana who started his career as a MEIRAA player.

While praising the State players, he continued that the Sports University was brought to Manipur only because of their talents and high level performances at the national and international platforms.

He also extended his gratefulness to Prime Minister of India for providing such a facility which will enhance and enrich the capacity of the State athletes.

Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju is expected soon to visit Imphal and review the progress of the construction work of the said university which will directly or indirectly provide employment to thousands of local youths, he continued.

Expressing concern over the factionalism in sporting bodies, the minister said that there are two associations governing the activities of hockey in the State which is something not encouraging.

He also appealed the bodies to join hand and work collectively towards the common cause.

Arjuna awardee, Chinglensana while speaking on the occasion credited his achievements to his family members and guides at MEIRAA.

Saying that his humble background hindered him in earlier phase of his life as a player, Chinglemba acknowledged that elders at MEIRAA, specially Brojen, have helped him immensely in carving out such a niche.

The 28 year old hockey star further expressed gratitude and regard to all hockey coaches of the State who have helped him scale such heights.

The felicitation programme was also attended by N Tomba, president BJP Thongju Mandal; Chirom Jasobanta, Member Bashikhong ZP; P Nilakamal, first hockey Olympian and vice president of Hockey Manipur (HM); S Lokeshore, advisor, HM; H Jamuna, vice president, HM and M Jadumani, Secretary Manipur State Panchayat Parishad.