Sports University of Manipur in the budget 2014
Recognition for the merits in the field of sports

Mustaque Ahmed *

An aerial view of Khuman Lampak Sports Stadium in Imphal in November 2012 :: Pix - MMTA

The dream of becoming a leader in the field of sports is realized that we will be having a Sports University in Manipur. The proposed budget for this purpose was introduced in the Union budget 2014 by the Finance Minister in the Parliament on Thursday. This has been our long cherished dream.

This is no wonder to us since Manipur excel in the area of sports. Of late, this is a major recognition of the efforts/merits that the state is endowed with for long time. To us it is very significant. I think the recognition has been welcomed by all Manipuri’s with warm appreciation.

Manipur being the powerhouse of sports, deserves to get one Sports University at this stage of time. With this all the districts of Manipur can also be introduced one Sports Academy each. Because we have talents, skills of sports, popular sports personalities, etc.

Everyone in Manipur is a sports-person in one way or the way. During our childhood we used to play wrestling (Mukna), Yubi Lakpi (Coconut game), Kabbadi and swimming in the Schools and Clubs. We were having sticks & balls and balls made by socks in our hands. Every boy in the village wished to collect balls in their hands.

The boys played with the homemade crude sport materials. Manipuri’s are adapted with the sticks made of bamboo. The girls are brought up with traditional the games as Thouri Chingbi, Thouri haibi, etc. They also play football, Kabbadi, hockey, etc.

Even today we see boys playing with the Citrus sp. (Nobap) in our localities on non availability of a football. The boys play football made out of old socks by filling straw or piece of papers. I used to play such football and also Kabbadi. I still remember that I usually used to carry one stick and ball in my hand. I got prizes in the Wrestling and Kabbadi games during my school days.

Swimming is another item of sports where Manipuri’s excel. Since we are having lots of ponds and rivers we use to be good swimmers. We are brought up with the horses. Talent in the field of Polo is understandable since we are having Pony horses here. Only the thing to be lacking in Manipur was a proper guidance, sports academy, further course of accomplishment, etc. Exposure of everyone to sports in their childhood and keen interest for the sports are the causes that Manipur is recognized in the field of sports.

All types of sports at village level once went unnoticed and unrecorded. Likewise, we lost useful skills and talents in the personality’s generation after generation. If village level sports were with the proper guide in the Academies, Colleges and Universities, then the sports should have been streamlined earlier.

Now the recognition by giving a Sports University with the acceptance of the efforts in the field of sports in Manipur is a good decision. Sooner the necessary formalities in fulfilling to establish the university be completed by the higher authority, the promotion of sports will be quicker. Governance and management of a university will be easier to Manipur considering the skills and personalities we are having here.

By the time we have to find qualified faculties for the University. Establishment of a Sports University is one opportunity for getting employment to our youths. We have to divest some of talented students into this University since we are not in a position to accommodate all the graduates in our Universities. Sport University is expected to accommodate a large number of students. This will solve admission problem to some extent .

Let the bill and act be passed in the assembly, and then only we can start the University very soon. Bringing a good management system and development will be easier for us for this university considering the vast experience of sports possessed in the state. But, we have not to be complacent. We have to properly use Rs. 100 (one hundred) crore to establish the infrastructure in the current year.

Flourishing of sports was our aim. Alright we are given one Sports university. We have not to let down this expectation of high performance from us. We produced some world class players in a few fields of sports like boxing, hockey, weightlifting, etc.

We have to produce more world-class sports personalities in other fields like cycling, swimming, archery, gymnastics, Kabbadi, football, volleyball, etc. Our children will be brand ambassador to set an example of this new up-coming University.