Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday called upon the fellow citizens of the state to resolve to continue to nurture sporting talents to ensure Manipur makes its mark in every competitive sport.
Extending his greetings on the occasion of National Sports Day, the chief minister hailed the state's athletes for their performances in the recently held Tokyo Olympics 2020.
"Performance in competition and sports are today benchmarks for a country’s development and welfare. In this regard, our state Manipur is recognised as the 'Powerhouse of Indian Sports'," CM Biren stated in his message.
Reiterating that the state government has been continuously supporting and encouraging its sporting talents in the best way, the chief minister assured to continue its support to the athletes.
The Manipur CM also took to Twitter to pay his tributes to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary.
"My humble tributes to the hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary which is also celebrated as #NationalSportsDay. It is very encouraging that Hon’ble PM had recently named the highest honour of sports after him as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award," CM Biren tweeted.
National Sports Day is observed on August 29 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Born on August 29, 1905 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, Major Dhyan Chand was the captain of the Gold medal- winning Indian hockey team at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Though Dhyan Chand himself led the Indian team (under British Rule) to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936, it was at the 1948 London Summer Olympics that Independent India defeated hosts Great Britain 4-0 to win their first Olympic post-Independence, the Manipur chief minister added.
