‘Rs 45 crore allocated to develop Luwangpokpa Cricket Ground to international level’

Imphal: A sum of Rs 45 crore has been allocated to develop the Luwangpokpa Cricket Ground of Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex, Luwangsangbam, Imphal to international level.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh said this on Sunday as he inaugurated floodlights at the cricket ground.

He also unveiled R.K. Jaichandra Singh Manipur Premier League T-20 Trophy for the season 2022-23.

The inauguration of floodlights at Luwangpokpa Cricket ground is a historic moment for the state, Biren said. He narrated the story on developing the ground and recalled the days when he was serving as the President of Manipur Cricket Association. He expressed satisfaction on the Manipur Cricket team getting qualified to the Ranji Trophy Elite Group.

He said the state government, knowing the importance of the game of cricket for taking youths towards healthy life, would develop a lake Front Cricket Stadium near the Loktak lake. He added that land had also been identified for the same. He also wished the Manipur Cricket team for further achievements in future.

He also welcomed Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Amit Mishra on the visit to the state.

Youths Affairs and Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam said the state government is leaving no stone unturned in the development of games and sports by developing various sports infrastructures in each district of the state. A multipurpose indoor hall will be constructed at the southern side of the Luwangpokpa Cricket ground. The indoor hall will ease out the congestion for practicing at Khuman Lampak, he added.

The minister informed that the state government would develop a track and field football stadium at the southern side of the ground. With all such development, he expressed hopefulness that Manipur will gain a new face in the field of games and sports within a few years.

An exhibition T-20 match was also played between Manipur XI and NECDC XI after the inauguration programme.

President, Manipur Cricket Association, MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, former Union Minister Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, ministers, MLAs and officials of Youths Affairs and Sports department also attended the programme among others.

Biren Singh also distributed portable blowers which can be used to extinguish fire to the Forest department and Fire Service department in a solemn function held at the chief minister’s secretariat. Nine blowers were distributed to the officials of the Forest department while 10 blowers were handed over to the Fire Service department.

Biren asked the officials to remain alert so that they can rush to the site where there is complain of fire. He stated that the portable blowers will be useful in extinguishing fire as it can be taken to areas where we cannot go with vehicles.

He urged the people specially residing near foothills to inform the authority if they see anyone trying to burn trees at forest areas.