Centre considering world class football academy in Manipur

IMPHAL, September 15: “The DoNER ministry has already received a proposal from the Manipur government to establish a world class football academy in Manipur, which is currently being considered by the Ministry”, said Union Minister of State (i/c) DoNER and NEC Chairman, Paban Singh Ghatowar today.

The Union Minister of State who is on a three day visit to the state was speaking during the inaugural function of the 3 day Seminar on the Development of Sports in the NE states at the MFDC auditorium today.

Jharkhand National Games medal winners from the state and London Olympians from the North East region were also felicitated during the inaugural function.

In his Presidential address, he said that state government had approached the DoNER Ministry and the NEC for the establishment of a world class football academy in the state.

The Union Minister of State had also announced that his Ministry is also mulling to open a boxing academy in the state after receiving a proposal from Olympics Bronze medallist MC Mary Kom and with the state government seconding it.

He continued that the presence of several NE players in the major football leagues of the state including the I-league plays an important role in developing football in the country.

He acknowledged that the presence of ten players from the region in the Indian contingent for the London Olympics said a lot about the region and its affiliation to sports.

While lauding the Manipuri players, he said that if all the Manipuri players who are playing for other states are taken into account then, Manipur would always be the overall medal winners in every National Games.

He said the NEC has always encouraged the players of the region and organizing award ceremonies for sportspersons including the NEC Chairma’s Sports Award for Excellence on International and National Sportsmen/women of NE Region.

State Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh in his address express his gratitude to the DoNER Union Minister and Chairman, NEC for providing resources for the event and consenting to grace this function.

He said, “Manipur is now emerging as a powerhouse in sports in the country. In this context the initiative to hold such seminar and to felicitate the Olympians jointly at Imphal is a welcome gesture”.

He continued that the Manipuri sportspersons have so far been content doing well at the national level, however recent London Olympics has raised the bar.

“We now aim for International level successes. Rio Olympics in 2016 will have to be a special target. We have to carve out our place in certain disciplines that are most suitable to us, such as, Archery, Boxing, Weightlifting and contact games etc.”

“Manipur has always been proud of producing Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awardees. We are, however, proud to add another distinction ie Olympic medalist with Mary Kom winning a Bronze Medal in Boxing at the London Olympics, 2012.”

He further continued that in a state where there is latent talent in sports, the opportunities would need to be more broad based. Our young ones need to be exposed to sports facilities and in an environment where committed coaches and sportspersons are accessible. Despite our apparent successes so far, many have also been denied the opportunities. This phenomenon would be equally applicable to all our neighboring states as well. The limited avenue available for suitable jobs in Manipur has led to the migration of most of our talented sportspersons to other states, PSUs and organizations.

With a view to broad base promotion of sports, the Government of Manipur has taken up establishment of Mini-Sports Complexes in all the Hill District Head Quarters and in the valley districts of Bishnupur and Thoubal; and Jiribam Sub-division. These complexes are being financed by DoNER under NLCPR and under Plan through SPA.

“Manipur is gifted with talented football players both for boys and girls. The State has, therefore, been moving the NEC for establishment of a Regional Football Academy in Manipur.

The Academy could be moulded into a centre of excellence in football and fulfill a genuine need of the footballers of the North East, he said.

Meanwhile Manipur Olympic Association, Bijoy Koijam said the seminar will act as a new chapter for the state and the region in the development of sports.

He said Manipur is being considered a sports power-house in the country and appealed to the DoNER Minister to establish a Sports University in the state.