Imphal, February 04: Marred by inordinate delay in installing the necessary infrastructure for the much hyped National Sports Academy, the highly coveted Academy, like many other projects taken up in the State, has stumbled on its first step.

In fact, the sports loving people of Manipur are expecting nothing less than an impetus forceful enough to propel the sports movement of the State to a higher level compatible with international standard from the Academy.

But the Academy as it stands today has belied all hopes and expectations.

Yet, efforts are on to install the necessary infrastructure within this year.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Boby Waikhom noted that the National Sports Academy is one of the most coveted institutions in Manipur.

Just as much as the people value this Academy, they are expecting a lot from the Academy, he observed.

The National Sports Academy Imphal opened last year.

Of the 60 students of the Academy's first batch, 9 were from other States.

However, according to the relevant guidelines, out of the 60 students, 30 should be from other States of India.

So far six different disciplines have been opened, the Director informed.

A team comprising of seven officials from the Sports Department went to Assam, Sikkim, Darjeeling and other Northeastern States to recruit students to the Imphal Sports Academy.

For the second batch scheduled to commence from June/July this year, extensive publicity campaign will be taken and maximum efforts will be put in to recruit excellent and brilliant students, said Bobby.

In response to the proposal of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, the Education Department has allotted five graduate teachers to the Academy.

The five teachers are teaching the 60 students of the first batch.

The Academy has adopted CBSE syllabus, he mentioned.

The project cost of the Imphal National Sports Academy established as a part of the Prime Minister's economic package was revised last year.

According to the revised estimate, the project cost of the Academy is Rs 40 crores.

Of the total estimated cost, the Ministry of DoNER released Rs 5.6 crores in March last year.

But no construction activity has been initiated till date, rued the YAS Director.

Because of the absence of basic infrastructure, the Academy is using SAI hostel Number 1 as the class room for its first batch of students.

Regarding catering service, the Director said that earlier M/S Tandoor Mahal was engaged for three months to provide food for the 60 students and 10 staff members including the hostel warden.

As per the guidelines, each student and staff should get food worth Rs 106 per day.

As the contract period of three months has lapsed, the M/S Tandoor Mahal has stopped supplying food.

The Academy owes Rs 7,30,800 to the Tandoor Mahal, disclosed the Director.

Nevertheless, tenders have been floated to engage next catering agent.

The tenders will be opened shortly.

In the meantime, as a temporary arrangement, Emoinu Catering is supplying food for the students and staff of the Academy, Boby said.

On being asked about the failure to take up construction activities in time, PWD Chief Engineer Ng Rashtrapati explained that there was some delay in conducting tender for the construction works.

Yet he acknowledged that Rs 5.6 crores sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry has already been deposited with the PWD.

Stating that most of the tender processes are nearing completion, the Chief Engineer assured that construction activities will be initiated very shortly.

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