Govt fetes Olympians, CM advises to focus on sports
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, August 21 2021: The state government on Saturday felicitated the five athletes from the state, who participated in the just concluded Tokyo Olympics-2020, in a grand function organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, here.

Chief Minister N Biren, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti Prahlad Singh Patel and YAS minister Letpao Haokip attended the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Deputy chief minister Y Joykumar, ministers Th Biswajit, Awangbow Newmai, S Rajen, O Lukhoi, Th Satyabrata, deputy speaker K Robindro, Manipur Olympic Association president Th Radheshyam, Tokyo Olympians S Mirabai Chanu, S Nilakanta Sharma, P Sushila Chanu, MC Mary Kom and L Sushila, Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam, Gymnastics Federation of India general secretary Dr S Shantikumar Singh and former Olympians P Nilakomol, Ksh Thoiba, Kh Tombi, Ng Sonia and K Chinglensana also shared the dais.

Hockey player Nilakanta Sharma was handed over Rs 75 lakh cash incentive and the appointment letter as Deputy Director in YAS department for winning a bronze medal in Mens Hockey.

Likewise, Indian women hockey team member P Sushila Chanu was honoured with cash incentive of Rs 25 lakh and the appointment letter as Assistant Director in YAS department.

On the occasion, Rs 25 lakh was handed over to boxing legend MC Mary Kom while Judoka L Sushila was honoured with Rs 25 lakh and promotion to the post of Inspector in Manipur Police department.

It may be mentioned here that weightlifting silver medallist S Mirabai Chanu had already been awarded Rs 1 crore besides appointing her to the post of Additional SP (Sports) in Manipur Police department.

Addressing the gathering, N Biren said that the state government has been extending all possible support and assistance to players despite the state's weak financial position.

The Manipur Olympian Park being planned for development at Sangaithel would be completed by the end of November and the park would be a symbol of honour and tribute to the Olympians of the state who had represented the country at the Olympic Games, the CM said and added that it would inspire the budding players and motivate them to work hard.

Biren also announced that the state cabinet had given approval to rewarding Ngangom Bala Devi with Rs 30 lakh for bringing laurels to the state by becoming the first woman professional footballer of the country to play for a foreign club.

He also lauded Mary Kom for her marvellous achievements in the field of boxing, stating that the record she has made would be hard to break.

Maintaining that the state government has been putting in all possible efforts to develop sports infrastructures, he said that flood lighting systems had been installed at Khuman Lampak main stadium and hockey stadium besides developing playgrounds in different places.

One hockey ground each with astro turf will be developed in all districts and development of other sports infrastructure are also in the pipeline, he said.

Biren also assured of reviewing the inconveniences faced by coaches while acknowledging their role in grooming good sportspersons.

The CM also announced that the government had decided to reduce the price of petrol and diesel to Rs 102.96 and Rs 90.64 respectively.

However, it would come into effect after around 10 days, he said, adding that the government has set a certain timeline to call objections and suggestions from the different sections of the society in this regard.

Addressing the gathering, Union MoS Prahlad Patel said that Manipur has been bringing laurels to the country, and felicitation and well-wishing of champion players would inspire others and motivate them to work harder.

For a player, nothing is greater than trying to give his/her best performance during competitions, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Y Joykumar stressed the need to identify sports disciplines which are suitable to the state.

Loss and win is the part of any game and players should never get disheartened during the bad phase of their career, he said.

Minister Letpao Haokip said that the state has a comprehensive sports policy to extend support and assistance to players.

The prize money for medal winners in Olympic Games and international competitions had already been hiked.

Under the new policy, Rs 1.20 crore would be given to gold medal winners in Olympic Games while Rs 1 core and Rs 75 lakh would be rewarded to silver and bronze medal winners.

Three posts of joint director, five posts of deputy director and 10 posts of assistant director had been recently created in the Youth Affairs and Sports department for medal winners in Olympic Games, he added.

A two-minute silence was also observed in honour of deceased boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh, who created history by winning a gold medal in Bangkok Asian Games.

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