Manipur Employment Minister Th Satyabrata Singh expressed that it will be a good idea if more grounds and fields are constructed in the future at Yaiskul Kendra for sports, recreation and entertainment purposes as there is scarcity of such grounds at present.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the new gallery of Bhakta Ashram Ground on Sunday at Moirangkhom Bokulmakhong.
The Bhakta Ashram Ground has produced hockey Olympians like Pangambam Nilakomol Singh, Ksh Thoiba Singh and other players who represented Manipur at the international level, he said.
The new gallery of the Ground was inaugurated in honour of Pangambam Nilakomol Singh who was the first ever Manipuri to represent India in Olympic Games in 1984. He participated in the 1984 Summer Olympics at Los Angeles in field hockey. He was born on March 1, 1955 at Moirangkhom Bokulmakhong, Imphal. The function was organised by the Rising Youth Organisation (RYO) club, Moirangkhom Bokulmakhong.
Speaking at the gathering, minister Satyabrata elaborated that although Yaiskul assembly constituency is not a big area, effective monitoring of the different roads, lanes and locality is a tedious task. “It will be a good step if we shoulder responsibility in building new grounds at convenient locations for properly organising Yaoshang sports, playing soccer games and recreational activities for the youths and children,” he added.
He further said that drawing the attention of the public, he also expressed desire to take up development policies and programmes in the Kendra after consultation with the residing locals. “We will also take into account the proposals of the public as to what model will fit the best for a particular locality,” he said.
Mentioning that it is for public welfare that the community hall at Bhakta Ashram Ground has been saved from destruction in the past by the Water Resources and IFCD Department due to its location issue, he assured that he will try to take care of other left-over infrastructural work like fitting lights etc. in the hall and the gallery with public support. “We are determined to carry out a task, no external force shall stop from executing it,” he added.
Secretary to the governor and commissioner YAS, CAF and PD Bobby Waikhom said that the construction of the new gallery is a nice piece of work as it is a perfect sport for a number of activities like sports, lilas and thabal chongba ritual.
As the ground is a grooming spot and home to Olympians and international players, there is a need to furnish the ground further, he said. He also appreciated the minister for the black topping of the roads lying adjacent to the Ground. Bobby Waikhom expressed happiness that the day-night football tournaments that were earlier stopped due to Covid can resume once again. “We need to complete construction of the toilet and other lagging developmental works. Sangaipat the biggest ground within the Yaiskul assembly constituency also needs proper care,” he said.
Former corporator IMC Ward No XIV Yaiskul Samom Reeta Devi appealed to the people to keep supporting minister Satyabrata in the coming elections for continuing welfare activities in Yaiskul. The public toilet will be completed by November, she added.
Delivering the keynote address, active worker of (RYO) club M Ashok expressed gratitude to minister Satyabrata for completing the gallery within a short span of just 20 days. The construction of the new gallery has been a long cherished childhood dream. It unfortunately was not realised during the tenure of former MLA E Chand, he added.
Members of (RYO) club and locals of Ward No XIV were present at the function amongst others. (DIPR)
