CM hands over Olympian Park to public
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, January 13 2023:
Constructed to honour the 19 Olympians from Manipur and to encourage players of the state, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday handed over Manipur Olympian Park, located at Sangaithel, Imphal West to the people.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, CM Biren acknowledged the contributions of local clubs in moulding the careers of the 19 Olympians, who brought respect and recognition for the state and country, and referred them as 'Living Legends' .
Acknowledging the rich sporting culture and love for sports, the state has been referred as 'Powerhouse of Sports' and the first National Sports University being set up here, he pointed out, while informing that the Olympi an Park has been constructed and handed over within just eight months with the blessings and support of the people.
An excellent training centre near the park as well as another at Khuman Lampak will also be established by joining hands with Samsung.
There is a long term plan to set up hostels for players so as to provide training and it will be done in phased manner, N Biren revealed, while adding that construction of a children park near the park is also under discussion.
Expressing desire to do something historic for the land by his government, CM Biren said Manipur is a unique state and those who do discuss its history will never know.
As such, leaders including Prime Minister and Home Minister look upon the state with respect, he continued, while highlighting the need to rectify the wrong history.
He recalled that suitable government jobs were given to the sportspersons who won gold medals at national and international level competitions as a part of one-time solution in the past, when he was the sports minister and 5 per cent sports quota was reserved.
The same will be continued in the near future, he added.
However, the government cannot provide jobs to every national sports medallist as people other than sports persons could not be employed as the number of sports medallists is huge.
The chief minister asked everyone to create and promote one Manipur where there is no division based on caste, religion, tribe or hill and valley and further appreciated the village chiefs and CSO leaders for destroying poppy plants in the hills voluntarily.
Drug menace cannot be root out without collective and cooperative efforts, he added.
Stating that the government has been delivering lots of development projects in all corners of the state, Biren urged the people to have a sense of ownership of the different public properties and take care of them.
In his address, Youth Affairs & Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam said that there are various record breaking items in the recently inaugurated constructions by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Manipur Olympian Park is the first of its kind in the country, Marjing polo statue is one of the biggest and tallest polo statues and the tricolour at INA Moirang is the highest national flag hoisted in the North Eastern states.
While assuring that updated equipment will be provided to replace the outdated ones, Govindas stated that the government is working for developing of modern sports infrastructure in sub-divisions and districts.
Mention may be made that the park was constructed by Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd under Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd and was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 6 .
State Planning Board deputy chairman and MLA S Rajen; Manipur Olympic Association president MLA Th Radheshyam, CAF&PD minister L Susindro; social welfare minister H Dingo; transport minister Khasim Vashum; commerce and industries minister, Nemcha Kipgen; Keishamthong MLA Sapam Nishikant; chief secretary Rajesh Kumar; first Olympian P Nilakomol; second Olympian Ksh Thoiba and various officials attended the programme.
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