Manipur to get lion's share in fund for sports
Mary Kom Academy to be lifted to International standard: Maken
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 08 2012: "As a long term strategy chalked out by Union Government, major share of the funds allotted for sports for whole country would be sanctioned to Manipur", Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken has announced.

Ajay Maken arrived here today on a two-day visit to the state.

While participating in an 'Interaction Programme' organized by Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur at Olympic Bhawan, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Ajay Maken acknowledged that Manipur is the powerhouse of sports in India, and said that India Government is giving full attention to the state and is going to invest a major share of the funds allocated for sports in the country to Manipur.

"We are targeting to get at least 15 gold medals in the 2020 Olympics.

From amongst the targeted gold medals, Manipuri players are going to get half of the medals", he added.

Ajay Maken, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports at Olympic Bhawan, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex

Encouraging the sportspersons of the state to do well in all the International level events, the Union Minister informed that any sportsperson of the country who brings home a gold medal in the Asian Games or any other International level events would be provided A-grade post which is equivalent to that of IAS officers.

The Union Minister assured that the Mary Kom Boxing Academy, which is to be established after the Manipur Government provides the required land as promised, would be equipped with necessary equipments to bring it up to International standard.

Accordingly, the DoNER Ministry has been directed to provide necessary funds for the Boxing Academy, which would have lodging facilities for 50 boys and 50 girls.

A multi-purpose sports complex would also be constructed in all the districts of the state.

The construction of one has already been started in Senapati at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore.

The construction of another multi-purpose sports complex would also be finalized by the end of this month, the Union Minister conveyed.

Noting that there are various incomplete projects amounting to Rs 53 crores, the Union Minister observed that if all these projects were completed, the infrastructure of sports in the state would be totally developed.

Disclosing that the Ministry is planning to construct a hostel with capacity for 100 footballers which would be gradually developed into a world class football academy in the state, he also pointed out the need to appoint a Physiotherapist in the Science Centre to make it functional and provide valuable service to the sportspersons of the state.

The interaction programme was also attended by top officials of Youth Affairs and Sports and Manipur Olympic Association.