Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday cautioned that the state government will derecognise sports associations if there exist more than one for the same discipline.
He was speaking at the reception of Judoka Linthoi Chanambam, who 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.
The reception was organised by the Manipur Judo Association and Mayai Lambi Sports Academy at the academy’s complex.
Speaking as the chief guest of the function, minister Govindas raised concern that multiple sports associations could ruin the career of sportspersons of the state. He added that strict adherence to sports code by all the associations will also be made compulsory.
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.
He added that potential players with high prospects will be identified for high performance training for preparation of main events like the Olympics. In view of identifying the potential players, a talent hunt will be organised at the National Sports Academy in Manipur starting from next year, he added.
Pointing out the lack of coaches in Manipur, he said that sportspersons usually train by themselves without a proper coach or instructors. The cabinet has also agreed to appoint 29 new coaches to train the players in the state, minister Govindas said.
The reception function was held at the training ground where Linthoi first started training for Judo at Mayang Imphal, Imphal West.
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.
In appreciation of the outstanding achievement by the 15-year-old in the world championship, the state has extended a reward of Rs 10 lakh to the player. Congratulating on the achievement, MLA Kongkham Robindro rewarded Linthoi a sum of Rs 1 lakh as a reward.
