CWG and Asian Games medal winners felicitated

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 15, 2018: Manipur today felicitated its medal winners, participants and team officials of the XXI Commonwealth Games, 2018 and 18^th Asian Games, 2018 at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal.

The chief minister distributed the cash incentives to the medal winners, team officials and participants of the XXI Commonwealth Games and 18th Asian Games, 2018. Cash incentives of Rs. 8 lakhs and Rs. 2 lakhs each were given to 10 bronze medal winners and 48 participants respectively of the XXI Commonwealth games and 18th Asian Games, 2018.

Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said “we need to review and assess the existing sporting spirit of every sports discipline to improve the performance of the players and to enhance the medal tally in future tournaments”.

The assessment would ascertain the reasons for not getting the enough medal tallies that we expected, he said. We need to find out why other states are dominating in various sports disciplines and getting more medals. We need to digest on the ways to improve the sports quality and keep the sports spirit alive in the state. Coaches, Trainers and officials of the youth affairs and sports department need to set out short term and long terms plans to make the sports quality better in the state.

Biren mentioned that the president of India p Ramnath Kovind, recognising the potentials and talents in the field of sports, announced Manipur as ‘Sports Capital of India’. The world today is appreciating and acknowledging Manipur because of its sports potential and capability. Recognising the talents of the youths of the state in sports, chief minister stated that the government of India has set up the country’s first National Sports University in the state.

It is glad to hear that Manipur Cricket team would be participating in the upcoming Ranji Trophy.  Various firms outside the state and country are willing to nurture future football players from the state by establishing grassroots football schools in various blocks of the state. The Tata Trust is opening 15 grassroots schools in the state, he added.

The state government has been providing suitable jobs to various sportspersons and would continue to provide jobs to them.

Youth affairs and sports minister Letpao Haokip said it is indeed a proud moment for all of us that despite of our small population, our sports players have been bringing laurels to this country in various International tournaments and championships. The department has been providing regular training and coaching camps to groom the upcoming youths of the state, he added.