Sports infrastructure
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, April 28 2018:
Sport-lovers and children of the State will get to hone their sporting talents conveniently as each and every nook and corner of Manipur will get basic infrastructure through the Khelo India scheme.
Addressing today's session of the ongoing series of press conferences being organised by DIPR at its Moirangkhom office, YAS Director N Praveen said that the problem of sporting infrastructure being concentrated in Imphal will be solved as State Level Khelo India centres comprising of basic primary level training grounds will be set up in hills and remote corners of the valley through the Khelo India scheme.
For the execution of the initiative, a DPR of Rs 3 crore has been submitted to the Centre by the department, he added.
107 players who represented Manipur did fairly well by securing 5th position in the medals tally at the 1st ever Khelo India School Games held at New Delhi at the beginning of this year.
He said that this performance was also appreciated by the Union Sports Minister during his recent visit to the State.
Briefing about the other main activities and achievements of YAS Department, the Director said that there has been substantial increase in the budget provision of coaching programme from Rs 25 lakh in 2017-18 to Rs 70 lakh in 2018-19 to provide better systematic and scientific coaching before participation in every State and National championships.
Regular coaching being conducted by the department at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in 25 sports disciplines can be regarded as the breeding ground for future sports stars of the country.
Praveen added that it is from this coaching classes that prominent sportspersons such as Mary Kom, Sarita, Devendro, Bombayla, Mirabai etc started their journey to sporting stardom.
Talking about the financial assistance given to State and district level sports associations, Praveen said that the budget allocation for the purpose was re-hiked to the earlier amount of Rs 1 crore during 2017-18 .
It may be mentioned that the amount for this assistance was lowered to Rs 70 lakh in the preceding fiscal year due to some issue arising out of services taxes.
The YAS Director also briefed about the concern of the department to improve and update the available infrastructure.
As a part of this, he said that floodlights would be installed in the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium and the Khuman Lampak Hockey stadium so that National and international level events can be hosted.
He also added that other sporting venues such as the indoor stadium, swimming pool, boxing ring etc will be upgraded.
To start with, the department has submitted a DPR to the Centre for improving the shooting range at Khuman Lampak with the latest state-of-the-art technology.
He expressed confidence that a positive response would be forthcoming.
Apart from the Director, Joint Directors Kh Pramoda and Jayanta; and Senior Sports Officer K Tomba Singh were also present at the press meet.
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