Facelift for Khuman Lampak sports complex and beyond
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 22, 2012 -

Sports Hostels, Indoor Stadium inuagurated at Khuman Lampak Complex :: July 20 2011

It is good to hear that Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is all set to get the much needed facelift at a cost of Rs 75 crores under a special upgradation grant of 13th Finance Commission and the Manipur Development Society (MDS), which has been assigned with the task is targeting to complete the work by 2015.

The sports complex was built in 1999 in time for hosting the 5th National Games. However, after the Games, upgradation and renovation work of the sports complex have almost come to a halt.

The only renovation that had been seen in between were whitewashing and painting of the stadium walls and black-topping of the roads inside the complex.

So, it is good news that the sports complex would be getting a face lift under the special upgradation grant of 13th Finance Commission.

In addition to upgradation of the complex and the stadiums including the main stadium, hockey stadium, cycle velodrome, aquatic complex, shooting range, Kangshang, practice field pavilion, it has been learnt that that the project would also cover development of the road and drainage system, parking area, compound walls and electrification.

Once the upgradation process completes, the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is expected to become one of the best-maintained sports complexes not just in India but also in the world, and most importantly a place of pride for every sports crazy Manipuri people.

It is not without any reason or qualification that Manipur has earned the sobriquet of 'powerhouse of sports in India'.

Throughout its long and chequered history, games and sports have remained integral as well as inherent aspects of social and cultural life of the people.

Besides art and culture, sports is the other big passion in Manipur and the Manipuris' love for sports has been proven time and again from the rich medal haul by our sportspersons at every National and International sporting events.

Be it football, hockey, boxing, weightlifting, judo, karate, taekwondo, cycling, etc, dominance of Manipuri sportspersons in the sporting arena has been unquestionable.

However, behind all these stellar achievements of the Manipuri sportspersons, one common thread that binds them together is the odds they have to face before reaching the medal podium.

This is true all the more for sportspersons hailing from far-flung areas of the state where organized sports facilities are practically non-existent.

In the given scenario, special attention should also be given to development of sports infrastructures in far flung areas of the state, particularly in the hill districts where aspiring players are not in a position to avail of the existing sports infrastructures at Khuman Lampak sports complex due to distant location.

This would help not only in tapping the sporting talents and potentials from all corners of the state properly but also in promotion of emotional integration among the hills and the valley people.