Govindas: New sports, youth policy soon
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2022: While informing that the government is working to revise the sports policy that was formed in 2003 by bringing it out in last week of August and a committee has already been formed in this regard, Youth Affairs and Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam said that a new youth policy will be framed in view of the changing times.

Responding to policy cut motion raised by opposition MLA Th Lokeshwar, minister Govindas pointed out that the budget for the department has increased and it will promote the indigenous games such as Mukna Kangjei, Thang-ta, etc., thereby providing opportunities to the players.

With 13 Olympians produced from the state, Manipur is known to the world for excellence in sports.

As such, the approval for setting up of National Sports University and National Sports Academy was given to Manipur, the minister said, while adding that players of the state are talented and skilled.

The department not only focuses on sports but also in improving discipline of youth.

As Manipur is a border state, the department is planning to conduct youth exchange programme, inter-state youth festival by joining hands with NYK and NSS so that they stay away from addictive substances.

While informing that the diet allowance for the players has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 500 and regular coaching centre for 12 disciplines have been opened, Govindas continued that Khelo India, which is an initiative taken up under PM Modi, tremendously benefited the players.

A sum of Rs 7 lakh each was given to 16 districts for Khelo India District Centre and proposal for focusing on one discipline has been sent for 16 districts, he informed.

Govindas further said that opening Khelo India centres in 16 districts only is not enough.

As such, the government has proposed to the centre for opening the centre in all 64 blocks of the state.

Almost all of the equipment used in the state were bought for the National Games 1999, he stressed, while informing that funds for purchasing equipment in tune with the time have been earmarked.

Out of the previous nine districts of the state, the then seven districts have district sports complexes, while Khuman Lampak Sports complex is an integrated sports complex for the state.

As the Khuman Lampak Sports complex is not suffice for all the sports persons, there is the need to upgrade sports complexes in the districts, he said, and further confided that the department has plan to set up district sports complex in Imphal East, West and seven new districts.

Minister Govindas further pointed out that the government has started developing play grounds, infrastructure, multipurpose hall and football field with gallery under Khelo India and is also trying to upgrade sports science and medicine.

As there are only 2/3 complexes like Khuman Lampak Sports complex in the country, the government is working to upgrade it at global standard through PPP mode.

Assuring development of required infrastructures of Ukhrul district sports complex, he said that National Sports Academy has been set up to ensure education to talented players from the hills and villages and to excel in their sports also.

A grant of Rs 6 crore is given for the academy.

From now onwards, players cannot be selected by sitting on the table but will be searched by going to every nook and corner and select them based on their talents.

A proposal for construction of international youth hostel in Moreh and youth hostel in Senapati under National Youth Fund has been sent and the department is preparing to organise youth exchange programme between Manipur and Tamil Nadu in Tamil Nadu, the minister revealed.

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