The Union Sports Ministry on Friday sanctioned Rs 5 lakh to the family of deceased Manipur footballer Manitombi Singh with an effort to ease the financial crisis of the family.
Manitombi, who died on August, 2020 at the age of 39, was the only earning member of his family and is survived by his wife and a son.
“Manitombi has contributed significantly to Indian football. He also contributed as a coach in Manipur. His demise is indeed a loss for the sporting community. When we learned about the financial crisis that the family is facing after his death, extending support to them was a duty upon us,” Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said in a PIB release.
“It is of prime importance for the government to support all our athletes, past and present, as well as those who have dedicated their life to sport as coaches, sports administrators and support staff and in similar roles,” Rijiju said.
The grant of Rs 5 lakh was sanctioned under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for sportspersons.
The Sports Ministry has been consistently helping athletes in need of financial support through this fund, and invites athletes and others who have worked in the field of sport, to apply for financial assistance through this scheme, the release added.
