YAS minister inaugurates Golden Jubilee cum Oly Games at Senapati
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, November 23 2022:
The Golden Jubilee cum Olympic Games 2022 of the Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur (SDOAM) was inaugurated YAS and Works minister Govindas Konthoujam as the chief guest, with Awangbow Newmai, minister Water Resources, Relief & Disaster Management, MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, and MLA Karong J Kumo Sha attending as the guests of honour.
In his keynote address, MS Jerome, covenor COC of Golden Jubilee and Olympic Games 2022, stated that the mega event would draw tens of thousands of youth and sport enthusiasts from all sides of the district and across the state of Manipur to Senapati city, fondly called as Tahamzam, meaning abode of the butterflies.
Founded in the year 1972 under the name, Senapati District Sports Association, Manipur, it took the present nomenclature of Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur (SDOAM) in 2009 to widen its scope of promoting multiple sports by affiliating itself with the Manipur Olympic Association, The goal of the Olympic movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and bet -ter world by educating the youth through sport practice without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
The mega event is aimed at showcasing the youth talent in sports where the likes of Mirabai Chanu and Neeraj Chopra will emerge and bring laurels to the land, Jerome said.
Joram Koveo, president SDOAM, said that the Golden Jubilee celebration aims to revive the bond of love and togetherness with excitement, enthusiasm and cheer.
The president urged to bring back the glorious past, nurture the present and move forward to a better future.
He also thanked all past leaders for bringing the association this far.
Joram Koveo mentioned that SDOAM is one of the oldest Olympic association district wise in the whole state and the first district Olympic games in Manipur.
While the district has different talented youth in sports, the district lacks infrastructure and training facilities especially in track and held events.
District sportspersons had won different medals in the recently concluded state Olympic games.
He continued that SDOAM is developing sports welfare pushing athletes and sportspersons towards achieving excellence in different sports fields.
During the past years, SDOAM had produced state level players, national and even international players.
Through the celebration of its golden jubilee, SDOAM is introducing Olympic games in the district with an objective to offer opportunities to maximum to all athletes and other sports, the president added.
Minister Awangbow Newmai said that the state is witnessing a wakeup call and said that through the able leadership of the chief minister,'people have grown to love one another as one people and started to connect with one another through realising one's rights and people have started to get avenues to explore and show case one's talent.
Appreciating the different abilities of different sportspersons, the Water Resources minister stated that Manipur has shown its talents even up to international level.
MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze in his speech lauded the state chief minister for taking the hills and valley as one by introducing different developmental schemes.
With the arrival of railway getting closer to Imphal city, the MP stated that there is possibility from the Railway Ministry to reach every all nook and corners of the country including the then laid foundation stone at Karong in 1995-96 very soon.
The Outer Manipur MP announced that Railway line survey will be completed within March, 2023 for Imphal, Karong and Zubza.
Hills are the very integral part of the state and the country and the government has never forgotten development for the region, he said while suggesting a better road network to connect all corners for better relationship among people.
Speaking as the chief guest, Works and YAS minister Govindas stated that he feels at home whenever he reaches Senapati.
The minister expressed his happiness to witness some changes taking places in the hills and the valley.
Sangai Festival which is the biggest state festival is celebrated under the theme, "Festival of Oneness" as proposed by state CM, he said.
The message was reportedly demonstrated by the CM by constructing 32 houses for 32 different communities of the state at Moirang Khunou Ethnic Park.
Everyone is in festive mood both in the hills and the valley during this Sangai festival, Govindas further said.
He the recalled when Manipur was declared full-fledged statehood on 21 January, 1972, apex body of sports was founded in Senapati district on April 28, 1972 by past leaders who need to be lauded.
Manipur is known for sports with different talented youth in various disciplines.
With the central government giving importance to Manipur, Sports University was recently constructed in the state.
The minister also stressed on the need to promote different cultures of the state.
In view of the emergent need for the district players, the YAS minister assured to construct an indoor basketball court within the current fiscal year for Senapati.
He also assured to construct indoor table tennis court and volleyball court.
The central government had reportedly approved construction of District India Khelo Centre for traditional wrestling at Senapati.
On road connectivity, the minister stated that border road under Bharat MALA is coming soon to connect Sub-division with district headquarters.
Different group games and individual games will be played during the Olympic Games 2022 till November 28 .