CM Ibobi bombarded with complaints from sports Assns
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 28 2012: Chief Minister O Ibobi today found himself in a state of total discombobulation while conducting an inspection tour of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, where he was bombarded by an array of complaints from the various sports associations of the state.

The Chief Minister was on his visit to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex to chalk out strategies for development of the complex with the Rs 100 crores sanctioned under the 13th Finance Commission.

Chief Ministert O Ibobi, who is also in charge of Sports, started his inspection tour at around 8 am.

He was accompanied by Bijoy Koijam, President of Manipur Olympic Association (MOA); MLA Prithviraj, Principal Secretary RK Nimai; top officials of Youth Affairs and Sports Department and officials of various sports associations of the state.

During the inspection, the Chief Minister took stock of the present condition of Indoor Stadium, Shooting Range, Boxing Arena, NS Football Ground, Hockey Stadium, Archery Pavilion, Indoor Weightlifting Hall, Wusu, Sepak Takraw, Cricket Ground, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Rowing Canal and Swimming Pool, etc.

CM Ibobi Singh test firing an air pistol

While inspecting the shooting range, the Chief Minister also test fired one round of air pistol alongside the shooters who were practicing.

The Chief Minister expressed discontentment over the poor quality of the playground, which is popularly known as Row ground, where FIFA is said to have completed laying out artificial grass.

He also found out that the artificial grass laid ground has been remaining unused with construction work on the dressing room, toilet and gallery of the ground yet to be completed The Chief Minister also gave a patient hearing to all the complaints raised by the various sports associations at a meeting held at the Olympic Bhawan after the inspection.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister pointed out in other rich states of the country, the playgrounds and stadiums constructed in the districts are looked after more carefully and huge amounts are sanctioned for the development of the required infrastructures.

However, Manipur being a poor state has given more emphasis to only a selected few.

He further informed that, the 13th Finance Commission has granted Rs 100 crores for the development of Khuman Lampak Sportys Complex.

The whole amount is to be utilized during a period of five years.

An amount of Rs 25 crores has been sanctioned initially.

However, no work has been started as yet.

Only after the utilization certificate of the Rs 25 crores is provided to the Union Government, another amount of Rs 25 crores will be sanctioned.

Initially, the Union Government has earmarked Rs 72 crores for the development of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex and another Rs 25 crores for giving stipend to the sportspersons of the state who are internationally acclaimed.

Later, Rs 25 crores has been allotted for the construction purpose as well.

During the course of the meeting, when the Chief Minister asked for the suggestions of the different sports associations on the development strategies to be chalked out, different sports associations put forward all the problems faced in their own respective fields.

They requested the Chief Minister to develop their respective field of sports on priority basis, to which the Chief Minister was left confused.

The associations also brought up the problems regarding lack of practicing area and absence of proper places for conducting championships among others.

Later the Chief Minister informed that a Committee will be formed to look into the matter and bring out which sector should be initiated first.