UDOA clarifies on tussle over Ukhrul's Olympic Association
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, October 14 2022: Even as a new interim body with the same nomenclature was formed recently, the Ukhrul District Olympic Association (UDOA) has come out with a clarification on the current confusion surrounding the formation of the Olympic association in the district.

The association said that it conducted its first election and elected its first president and general secretary paving the way for its constitution as a full-fledged body on 8th October, 2022 as endorsed by its General Body Meeting of 15th September, 2022 .

This came over a month after the association was formed on 8th August, 2022 in the presence of 16 different sports disciplines in a meeting convened by L Robert Meitei, who was appointed as the Games Coordinator of Ukhrul district by the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) .

A press conference regarding the matter was convened by UDOA at Ukhrul Central School campus, Phungreitang on October 10, two days after its election.

Among those present during the press conference included former president, UDOA Rammayo Chiphang, Games Coordinator Robert, newly elected UDOA general secretary Rungshing Kharay and representatives of sporting disciplines.

Rammayo Chiphang highlighted that UDOA was formed in the first meeting of October 8 attended by 12 sports disciplines including football represented by Ukhrul District Sports Association (UDSA) primarily for participation in the recently-concluded 2nd Manipur Olympic Games 2022 which was held from August 26 30 .

In the second meeting held on August 21, 2022, 14 members representing 9 disciplines unanimously appointed him and Kharay as its president and secretary for five days to coordinate with the district's games coordinator during the Olympic events, he said.

Chiphang continued that the members also entrusted the president and secretary along with the games coordinator to form an interim body and to conduct the election for the post of its president and general secretary in the third meeting held on September 15, 2022 .

Accordingly, the interim body comprising Chiphang as the chief commissioner, Robert as the returning officer and Kharay as a member of the Election Commission, duly conducted the election at UDTWA office, Phungreitang on October 8, 2022 .

Ahead of the election, the interim body scrutinised the credentials of all the sports disciplines and came out with a list of 23 disciples qualified for voting including Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Fencing, Football, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate Do, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Wushu, Mukna, Swimming, Gymnastics, Handball, Cycling, Rowing, Squash, Wrestling, Equestrian and Canoeing & Kayaking.

Robert informed that currently 34 sports disciplines are approved under MOA, of which 3 are indigenous state games, adding that certain disciplines like Sepak Takraw were not included in the list of Olympic Games approved by MOA.

He said that a total of 151 athletes representing 16 different disciplines from Ukhrul district participated in the recent Olympic Games and 31 medals were bagged by eight disciplines.

"Sports are a platform that brings peace and unity among the people and it should never be politicised.

Neither should it be identified with any caste, creed or race", Robert remarked.

Comment