Imphal, December 30, 2009: The Academic building and administrative block of the National Sports Academy, constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore at Khuman Lampak, inaugurated by Chief Minister O Ibobi today.

The cost of the construction of the buildings was borne by the Union Ministry of Human Resource.

The Chief Minister handed over the appointment orders and offer forms to 120 sportspersons who won gold medals in national level sports events.

They were given jobs in the departments of Education, Home and YAS.

In all, 97 out of the 120 sportspersons attended the function and received the appointment orders and offer forms.

The organisers said, others could not attend the function as they were at present out of station.

Forty of them have been appointed in YAS while 38 of them in the Home Department and 19 of them in the Education Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi said that the academy is one of the most prestigious sports institutes in the North Eastern Region of the country.

The state government is taking necessary steps to construct hostels for boys and girls at the earliest.

He further said that knowing the sport talents of the people of the state and their spirit, the Government of India agreed to open a Sports Academy in Manipur as special package of the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister also announced that the government has issued orders for appointment to 120 sportspersons of the state including people living with HIV/AIDS in Education, Sports and Home departments.

Nine more national players are yet to be offered government jobs.

Their appointment has been delayed as they failed to meet with the required physical standard such as height, while some did not appear in the physical efficiency test as they had been out of station, he said.

The government is reserving 5% of job appointment for the sportspersons under a specific policy.

In the academy, the students are studying both sports and education.

This does not mean that the government is neglecting other schools and colleges.

It only aims at the students of the academy becoming mentally and physically perfect in both.

Girls dominate in the field of sports, education and others in the state, Chief Minister Ibobi said while encouraging the spirit of the young girls.

Boys need to try harder for better performance, he opined.

The academy has produced national gold medalists in the last three year since the opening of the academy, he said expressing hope that more national and international players will able to produce in future too.

He also advised the students of the academy to secure top positions in the exams conducted by the board and council.

Only with students perform better in both sports and education, they will able to bring fame of the state.

Sports Minister, N Biren who presided over the function said that the academy was set up within a time bound period with a commitment of the government.

His department is targeting to complete the construction works of the buildings of the academy at the earliest possible time.

Minister Biren expressed hope that the Academy will produce Olympians in the coming years.

The inauguration function was attended by Education Minister, L Jayentakumar, Tribal Development Minister, DD Thaisii, MLAs I Hemochandra, Th Lokeshwor, E Dwijamani, M Prithivraj, just elected E Suraj, Dr Ksh Ratankumar, Chief Secretary, DS Poonia, DGP, Y Joykumar and officials of the YAS department.

Mention may be made here that the National Sports Academy was established in 2007 and its session commenced from June/July.

A total of 130 students including 27 from outside the state are studying in the academy.

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