Imphal, February 15: With reference to the controversy surrounding the alleged attempt to misappropriate fund by the Principal of the National Sports Academy, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Bobby Waikhom who is also the Member Secretary of the Academy, has clarified that the Principal has practically no role to play in drawing and disbursing the Academy's fund other than physical verification of the claims/bills submitted.

A statement issued by the YAS Director informed that the Academy has 58 students at present.

M/S Tandoor Mahal was awarded the work of catering service for providing meals to the students as well as the residential staff for a period of three months from October to December last year.

As the Academy was facing fund shortage in the initial stage, outstanding amount including bills for catering service could not be paid in time, informed Bobby.

After M/S Tandoor Mahal had submitted the bill for the period to the YAS Director, the same was referred to the Principal of the Academy for verification according to the number of meals consumed by the inmates of the Academy.

Later M/S Tandoor Mahal re-submitted a bill of Rs 3,61,088 duly supported by a four page statement signed by the Principal NSA.

But after final verification, it was found that the actual amount payable to Tandoor Mahal by the Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports was Rs 3,67,231 .

As per memorandum of the National Sports Academy, financial powers for issuing expenditure sanction are delegated to the Chairman (Chief Secretary) and the Member Secretary (Director/YAS), explained Bobby.

He further clarified that all proposals for expenditure sanction exceeding Rs 2 lakhs is put up to the Chief Secretary through the YAS Director and Commissioner YAS after which due payment is made to the firm concerned by cross cheque.

Regarding method of selection of students, the Member Secretary clarified that students of the Academy were selected after a three-phase vigorous screening tests including physical fitness test as per the battery of tests prescribed by the Sports Authority of India conducted by experts of the YAS Department.

The other phases of the screening test are specific test in the respective disciplines conducted by a team of coaches of this Department and medical fitness test conducted by a team of medical experts.

The Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports has been endeavouring to make the Academy one of the best sports institute in the country with the primary objective of producing international sports persons capable of winning medals in Olympics, claimed the YAS Director.

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