Incentives for medal winners to be hiked
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 20 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has announced that the incentives awarded to medal winners of Commonwealth Games (CWG) and National Games would be increased.

He made the announcement while attending a felicitation ceremony of the medal winners and participants of the 36th National Games-2022, Gujarat and 2nd North East Olympic Games-2022, Shillong held today at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal.

The Chief Minister informed that the incentives awarded to gold medallists of CWG will be increased from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, silver medallists from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh and participants will be provided Rs 4 lakh.

Regarding the National Games, he announced that incentives for individual players winning gold medal will be increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, for silver medallist from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh and for bronze medallist from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

Incentives for medal winners to be hiked

For team events, the incentives for gold, silver and bronze medals will be increased to Rs 15 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively, he added.

Acknowledging the contribution of coaches in the achievement of players, N Biren also announced that incentives for coaches would be increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh for gold, from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for silver and that of bronze from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.

He further assured that the Government will take up necessary actions in consultation with the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister for implementation of the revised incentives at the earliest.

The Chief Minister maintained that the objective of the State Government is to create avenues for the people and support them.

Stating that achievement-oriented thinking is very important for carrying out a task, he mentioned that the Government is putting in every effort to develop infrastructure of various sectors including games and sports.

Biren also stated the Government has initiated the process of increasing the sitting capacity of the gallery of Khuman Lampak Main Stadium to around 70,000.He deliberated on the plan to construct a stadium with a crowd capacity of one lakh.

He mentioned that a land measuring 50 acres has been identified in Imphal West district for the same purpose.

He further informed that the Manipur Olympian Park which is being developed at Sangaithel would be inaugurated soon and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been invited to inaugurate it.

He spoke on the Chief Minister's Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang (CMAST) scheme launched for the welfare of the State's sportspersons.

The Chief Minister urged young athletes of the State not just to aim for getting a Government job after winning medals in National events but aim for the Olympic Games.

He added that the Government would also discuss matters relating to providing jobs to gold medal winning players at the National level.

Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister Govindas Konthoujam, while addressing the gathering, stated that games and sports is the field which has made Manipur known to the world and added that the people of the State is privileged to have N Biren Singh as Chief Minister, who has always taken up much initiatives to develop the sports sector in the State.

He continued that the State Government had initiated work to upgrade the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex to world class standard.

Govindas also mentioned that the Government has been putting in efforts to develop sports infrastructure so that the State's players can avail the same facilities as players of other big States do.

He stressed the need for cooperation amongst different associations related to games and sports in order to ensure better medal haul at National and international events.

He also spoke on the importance of selecting the right and prospective players for participation in National and international level games.

He extended his best wishes to sports players of the State in their future endeavours.

President, Manipur Olympic Association and MLA of Heirok AC Thokchom Radheshyam stressed the need of sportspersons to be passionate to win medals and added the importance of collaboration and not competition amongst different associations to achieve progress in the field of games and sports.

He lauded the achievement of young and talented athletes of the State who are trained with lesser infrastructure/facilities.

"As we supported famous footballers during the recent FIFA World Cup, we need to support our local players and motivate them to bring more laurels for the State", Radheshyam said.

The Chief Minister felicitated medal winners and participants of the 36th National Games-2022, Gujarat and 2nd North East Olympic Games-2022, Shillong.

Cash rewards of Rs 10,000, Rs.7,000 and Rs.5000 were given to gold, silver and bronze medal winners of 36th National Games-2022, Gujarat.

Further, a cash reward of Rs 10,000 was given to the associations of 18 disciplines which participated in the 2nd North East Olympic Games-2022, Shillong.

The felicitation ceremony which was organised by the Manipur Olympic Association was also attended by MLA of Keishamthong AC and president, Manipur Basketball Association Nishikant Sapam, MLA of Wangkhei AC and president, All Manipur Mukna Association Th Arunkumar, MLA of Moirang AC Thongam Shanti, MLA of Kakching AC Mayanglambam Rameshwar, Principal Secretary (YAS) SS Chhabra, Olympians, coaches, renowned sports players and office bearers of Manipur Olympic Association, among others.