Imphal, Sep 15 UNA: A three Day Seminar on the Development of Sports in the North Eastern State kicked off today at Manipur Film Development Cooperation (MFDC) . Chief Minister of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh inaugurated it.
In the opening function of the Seminar, London Olympic 2012, bronze medalist in 51 kg women boxing Mary Kom was awarded with Rs.40 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh each were given to the Olympians of the northeastern states by the Manipur Olympic Association and The Youth Affairs and sports department government of Manipur under the sponsorship of Northeastern Council (NEC).
The inaugural function was attended by, O. Ibobi Singh Chief Minister, Manipur, Paban Singh Ghatowar Union Minister of state and in-charge of DoNER/ Chairman NEC, and Bijoy Koijam president Manipur Olympic Association as chief guest president and guest of honor. Dr. Meinya and Thangso Baite, MPS council of cabinet ministers, MLAs and high ranking officials attended the function.Two Olympians from Sikkim and Assam however could not attend the function as their flights reached Imphal late.
Expressing his gratitude to the Union Minister and Chairman, NEC for providing resource for the event and consenting to grace this function, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said Manipur is now emerging as powerhouse in sports in the country. Organisation of seminar and felicitation of the Olympians jointly organized in Imphal is a welcome gesture.
Chief Minister further said that we have so far been content doing well at the national level. But recent London Olympic has raised the bar. We now aim for International level successes. Rio Olympics in 2016 will have to be a special target. We have to carve out our place in certain disciplines that are most suitable to us, such as, Archery, Boxing, Weightlifting and contact games etc.
Manipur has always been proud of producing Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awardees. And it is proud to add another distinction, the Olympic medalist with Mary Kom winning a bronze medal in London Olympic. And “I am confident that this would only be the beginning and more will follow in future”.
Today, all sportspersons are needed to pay attention to the basic challenges at a more fundamental level in a state where there is talent in Sports the opportunities would need to be broader based. Our young ones need to be exposed to sport facilities and in an environment where committed coaches and sportsperson are accessible. Despite our apparent successes so far, many have also been denied the opportunities added the CM.
Chief minister further said in view to broad base promotion of sports, government of Manipur has taken up to establishment of Mini-sports complex in all the Hill district head quarter and in valley areas, under the financed of DoNer, NLCPR and under Plan through SPA.
Manipur is gifted with talented football players both boys and girls, and so, the state has been moving the NEC for establishment of a Regional Football Academy in Manipur. The Academy could be moulded into a centre of excellence in football and fulfill a genuine need of the footballers of the North East.
Ibobi, Ghatowar , Bijoy also handed over a cheque to the London Olympians of the North East state and further handed over gifts (Laptop) sponsored by the Sara Jeevan Staff Welfare Association to Manipur Olympians. And further receipt the Jarkhand National games medalist with cash award of Rs. 17 lakh and below.
The opening of seminar was attended by all the Olympians of the North Eastern state.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/north-east-olympians-honoured-with-cash-prize/
