The Manipur government has decided to hold talent hunt to identify potential players for high performance training in preparation for world events such as the Olympics. The talent hunt will be organised at the National Sports Academy in Manipur starting 2023, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam has said.
Also, pointing out the lack of coaches in Manipur, the state YAS minister said the cabinet has agreed to appoint 29 new coaches to train the players in the state.
“Sportspersons in Manipur usually train themselves without a proper coach or instructors,” he said, while addressing the felicitation programme of Judoka Linthoi Chanambam. It was held at the playground where Linthoi first started training for Judo at Mayang Imphal, Imphal West.
Fifteen-year-old Linthoi recently scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian to win gold medal at the Cadet World Championships 2022 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegonia, across any age and gender.
Govindas also said the state government will derecognise sports associations if there exist more than one for the same discipline, as multiple sports associations could ruin the career of sportspersons of the state.
Strict adherence to sports code by all the associations will also be made compulsory, he said, adding that the government will not entertain any grants related to sports to unrecognised associations.
Grants given to state-level tournaments will be increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000, he announced.
At the programme, which was organised by the Manipur Judo Association and the Mayai Lambi Sports Academy on Friday, the state rewarded her Rs 10 lakh, while MLA Kongkham Robindro presented her Rs 1 lakh as a reward for her achievement.
Meanwhile, Linthoi expressed her concern over the lack of infrastructure and drew attention of the government for providing requisite facilities and a separate hostel each for boys and girls.
Also Read: Manipur to hold sports talent hunt, to appoint 29 new coaches to train players
