"Lack of dedicated playing space hindering State para athletes from making to Paralympic Games and Special Olympics"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2025: Lack of proper and dedicated playing space for disabled and handicapped persons are hindering State's para athletes (athletes with disabilities who compete in Paralympic Games and other competitions) from making it to the world sporting events such as Paralympic Games and Special Olympics, observed Ksh Pratama Meitei.

Ksh Pratama Meitei is the secretary of the All Manipur Disabled and Handicapped Persons Development Agency and he was speaking at the closing function of the 4th State Level Differently Abled Persons' Sports Meet held at CYLC ground, Singjamei Chingamathak this afternoon.

Lack of dedicated playing space hindering State para athletes from making to Paralympic Games and Special Olympics

The sports meet was organised by the All Manipur Disabled and Handicapped Persons Development Agency in association with Thounaojam Chaoba Memorial Charitable Trust, Singjamei and Pamel Foundation.

Sadokpam Sanayaima, Officer-in-charge, Singjamei PS; Sougrakpam Sumati Devi, secretary, All Manipur Students Guardian Organisation attended the function as the chief guest and functional president in the presence of Thounaojam Romen, trustee of Thounaojam Chaoba Memorial Charitable Trust and Nameirakpam Brajangang, secretary, CYLC Chingama-thak as guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Pratama said the sports meet was organised specially to facilitate and encourage differently abled students towards sports and tap their talents.

The annual event is aimed at helping them socialize and understand that they are not alone besides encouraging the competitive spirit, he said.

Manipur is irrefutably the powerhouse of sports in India and there is no dearth of sporting talent among the disabled and handicapped persons too.

However, lack of proper and adequate playing spaces for them have been greatly hindering the local para athletes, who are already facing various challenges, from policing and honing themselves to world class athletes, he observed.

On being asked about Government's initiatives towards the cause, he said the agency (All Manipur Disabled and Handicapped Persons Development Agency) had approached authorities concerned on various occasions seeking dedicated playing space for the para athletes but sadly they are yet to receive a proper response.

Whenever such sporting activities are to be conducted, they face immense difficulties searching for willing organisations or clubs to use their playgrounds, he said while expressing regret for a proper playground and facilities for State's para athletes.

If the Government takes keen interest and facilitates local para athletes to practise and pursue sporting events academically, Manipur will hopefully produce world class para athletes who can dominate marquee events like the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics, he said.

In his address, Sadokpam Sanayaima said that different abled persons are bestowed with special gifts and expressed hope that they can script success in the bigger platforms.

Winners, participants in different events and categories of the sports meet were also feted with prizes by the dignitaries during the closing ceremony.