Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh kicked off the 12th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2022 at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal on Wednesday.
The championship is organised by Manipur Hockey under the aegis of Hockey India and will continue till May 22. As many as 25 teams from different States and Union Territories altogether will be participating in the national event.
Speaking on the occasion, N Biren Singh expressed his thankfulness to Hockey India for giving the opportunity to organise such a national event in the state. He also appreciated president, Hockey India Gyanendro Ningombam for his initiatives to further develop hockey in the state.
He continued that the championship would be a beginning for all participating young players to go forward to higher level and added that the event would also encourage and motivate young players of the state to practice with much dedication.
He informed the young hockey players that Manipur, although being a small state, had produced 19 Olympians so far and as such, the state government had started construction of an Olympian Park in honour of their dedication and commitment in the field of sports.
He stressed the need for proper maintenance and up-gradation of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex as the state had been hosting many sports events. He informed that the state had started consulting experts to double the seat capacity of Main Stadium and to upgrade its ground.
The government was targeting to host matches of big football tournaments like the Indian Super League soon, he added.
He further informed that the government would soon start construction of stadiums in six hill districts with an estimated cost of Rs. 9 crore each. The construction of the same would be funded by MOBC, he added.
He further stressed the need for creating interest in games and sports among youths to divert their minds from drugs and other related activities. Concluding his speech, he also extended his best wishes to the participating teams.
Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that Manipur had become one of the leading states in the field of games and sports and added that the state had produced many Olympians. He continued that the state government was planning to promote hockey, with better infrastructure, in all 16 districts of the state.
He also informed that infrastructure development of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex would be carried out by consulting experts of the field.
He said that around 300 hockey players are currently working in different parts of the country. He advised the participating players to play well with much dedication to win the championship and also to achieve success in their lives.
He also took the salute of all the participating teams while marching inside the stadium. An eye-catching performance of Thang Ta was also showcased during the programme.
President, Hockey India Gyanendro Ningombam, principal secretary (YAS) SS Chhabra, president Manipur Hockey Basudev Singh and other officials attended the programme among others.
