SDOAM highlights lack of sports infrastructure in Senapati district
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, September 12 2022:
Senapati district has multiple sports talent (inborn talent) and with adequate infrastructure and training facilities, the athletes of the district can compete with the best and become the best.
This was stated by Joram Koveo Woba, president Senapati district Olympic Association Manipur (SDOAM).
In the recently concluded 2nd edition of Manipur Olympic Games, Senapati district bagged 20 medals including 6 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze, and was one of the best districts among the hill district of the state.
Koveo lamented that Senapati district is being deprived of sports infrastructure and is without standard football ground, basketball court, contact sports arena, track & field ground etc though the athletes from the district excel at the state, national and international level.
He further said that the root problem is ineffective participation arising from lack of infrastructure and difficulties in gaining access to serious sports training.
Koveo expressed unhappiness over inequality in sports infrastructure development in the state.
Citing the medals won by the district in recently concluded Manipur Olympic Games, the SDOAM president claimed that if there is proper sports infrastructure development, Senapati district could become a powerhouse in producing sports talent.
He continued that the district sportspersons did so well especially in athletics that they could compete with the national level players despite poor training facilities and proper infrastructure in the district.
He informed that his team bagged gold, silver and bronze medals in track & field events.
Koveo further informed that the girls clinched gold medal in both volleyball and basketball events despite no standard volleyball court and basketball court available in the district.
He then drew the attention of the state government, saying that it is shame to deprive the champions of proper training facilities and sports infrastructure.
The district women's volleyball team bagged gold for two consecutive years without proper training and infrastructure, he added.
The SDOAM president went on to say that the great achievement of Senapati district in the recently concluded 2nd Manipur Olympic games 2022 has already enkindled the "seriousness of sports" for many budding sportspersons of the district, yet many of them cannot avail the opportunity despite having talents without adequate sports facilities.
In Mix Martial Arts (MMA), the boxers from the district bagged prizes both at national and international level, he further informed while asserting that "if the district is provided adequate sports facilities our athletes can take our Manipur state to greater heights and make us proud" .
Answering a query, president said that SDOAM has met the present state chief minister on a number of occasions for district sports facilities and infrastructure and received assurance from him, however so far no action has taken place in reality.
SDOAM also lamented that district youth affairs and sports department Senapati and district administration do not extend its cooperation and help to SDOAM as expected.
SDOAM president urged the authority concerned and state government to provide basic sports infrastructure to uplift the spirit of sports in the district in particular and state as a whole.
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