Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, July 09:
Manipur Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Nongthombam Biren drew the attention of the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing adequate funds for the development of sports infrastructure in Manipur.
Attending the one-day Conference of State Ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports chaired by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr M S Gill today at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Minister highlighted the considerable achievements of sports in Manipur.
He said that the State produced many national and international players including seven Olympians and seven Arjuna Awardees.
The State organized the 5th National Games in Imphal in 1999 successfully and got the 'Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy' for overall champion.
In the subsequent National Games, Manipur maintained its quality of performance securing the 3rd place in 2001 Games in Punjab, the 4th place in 2002 Games in Hyderabad and 2007 Games in Assam.
Supporting the Union Ministry's effort for revival of the Scheme of Grants for Creation of Sports Infrastructure, the State Minister expressed that a huge fund would be required for establishment of sports infrastructure, be it world-class infrastructure at central locations, or basic infrastructure in rural areas.
The Special Category States like Manipur would have more difficult to create sports infrastructure from their own resources.
Referring to the basic sports facilities in the rural areas in Manipur, N.Biren stated that the State would like to construct a basic sports centre consisting of one playground and one indoor hall in each Block Headquarters.
Since ninety percent of the geographical area of Manipur is hilly, the average cost of the Block Sports Centre would be around Rs 40.00 lakh.
The total cost for all 27 Blocks in Manipur excluding those Blocks at district headquarters would be Rs 1080.00 lakh.
This could be taken up in phase manner over a period of 3 to 5 years.
The day-long conference was attended by Ministers from States and senior officers from various concerned Ministries.
The participants deliberated on issues relating to PYKKA, use of sport infrastructure, role of Sports Authority of India and draft schemes for promotion of sports and games in schools, colleges and universities, sports and games for disabled and National Physical Fitness Programme (NPFP).
The major issues relating to Youth Affairs which wre deliberated upon included the review of Youth Hostel Scheme, National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and launching of scheme of National Programme for youth and Adolescent development (NPYAD).