Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday handed over cheques amounting to Rs 5 lakh each to District Youth Affairs and Sports Officers of 16 districts of the state to start the functioning of the District Level Khelo India Centre.
Speaking at the distribution programme at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Imphal, Biren stated that the Ministry of Sports, Government of India had taken up initiative to establish 1,000 Khelo India Centres across the country under the Khelo India Programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The chief minister said Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Cycling, Fencing, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Football and Traditional sports have been included as identified sports disciplines under the Khelo India Centre.
As such, Sports Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India had approved the opening of District Level Khelo India Centre for different sports disciplines at 16 districts of Manipur.
A total amount of Rs 1,12,00,000 was sanctioned on May 31 for 16 districts of Manipur for preparation/ upgradation of sports field, purchase of equipment, sports kit and remuneration for engagement of Mentor and supporting staff.
He added that Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in three sports disciplines including Archery, Hockey and Weightlifting at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal would also start very soon as per the guidance of the Sports Ministry.
Biren was hopeful that attracting youths towards the field of games and sports would help them to stay away from drugs related activities and consumption. As such, he sought support of all the players and other stakeholders, who had been taking an important role in promoting sports, in the Government initiatives to develop the infrastructure of the sports sector under the Khelo India Programme.
The chief minister further mentioned that government schools of the state had recorded a high pass percentage of 60.40 per cent in the recently declared High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination 2022 results.
The pass percentage of Government Schools in HSLC Examinations conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur had not crossed 55 per cent in the last 10 years.
Appreciating all the students, teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Schools for their dedicated efforts towards achieving such record pass percentage, he informed that headmasters and teachers of Government Schools which had secured high pass percentage in the recent HSLC Examinations will be rewarded on 13th August this year.
The identified sports disciplines for different districts are Fencing for Imphal East, Cycling for Imphal West, Judo for Thoubal, Badminton for Kakching, Senapati, Jiribam and Tamenglong, Football for Chandel, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Noney, Rowing for Bishnupur and Boxing for Churachandpur.
Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Health and Family Welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, principal secretary YAS SS Chhabra; director (YAS) T Phulen Meitei; District Youth Affairs and Sports officers and other officials of Youth Affairs and Sports department attended the programme among others. (DIPR)
