State honours players on Sanaroishingee Numit
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 25 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the State Government has been laying emphasis on the development of sports sector as sports movement is necessary to save the youth from many social evils such as drug menace.

The Chief Minister was addressing the observance of Sanaroishingee Numit 2023 at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

The programme was organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Continuing his speech, N Biren stated that Sanaroi-shingee Numit (Players' Day) is being observed in recognition of the dedication and achievements of the veteran sportspersons of the State.

He maintained that the State Government has been taking up various initiatives to develop the sports sector in the State.

State honours players on Sanaroishingee Numit

He informed that funds had been allocated for setting up of a training centre for ace weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.

Stating that many football players from the State are representing the country, N Biren continued that the Government had held a talk with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to set up a football academy in the State.

Mentioning that the Manipur Olympian Park has been constructed at Sangai-thel to honour the State's Olympians, the Chief Minister stated that the park will also have an excellent training centre.

A football stadium with a crowd capacity of 75,000 will be constructed at Imphal West with Indian Railway for which land has already been identified while eight other football grounds will be constructed under PM-DevINE, he added.

N Biren stated that a pension scheme for unemployed sports persons and coaches of 60 years and above who have represented the State in National and international levels had been launched.

Maintaining that Manipur StartUp 2 had been laun-ched, he added that coaches who are interested in setting up training classes or an academy may join Start Up scheme, N Biren went on to state that Chief Minister's Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang (CMAST) had also been launched with an outlay of Rs 7.36 crore.

Delivering his presidential speech, YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that the State had been observing Sanaroishingee Numit since 2000.He continued that Manipur, though a small State, is known for its contribution in the field of games and sports.

On the achievements of the sports players of the State, he stated that Manipur had so far produced 19 Olympians, adding that the State had produced the biggest number of Olympians in terms of per capita.

The YAS Minister also appreciated the Chief Minister for taking up initiatives to develop the sports sector and asked the sports players to take this opportunity in developing the sector.

During the programme, four senior players L Nabakumar, Laishram Ramkumar, H Jamuna Devi and N Ramjoy Singh were also felicitated along with some coaches of regular coaching classes (RCC).

The Chief Minister also felicitated gold medal winners of Khelo India Youth Games 2023 held at Madhya Pradesh.

The Chief Minister also flagged off a players' run as a part of the observation.

President of Manipur Olympic Association Dr Th Radheshyam Singh, Principal Secretary (YAS) SS Chhabra, Director (YAS) T Phullen Meitei, Olympians and renowned sports personalities also attended the programme.