Manipur Sports dept identify 6 disciplines to train youths

IMPHAL, AUGUST 1: Manipur sports department has identified six sport disciplines to train talented youths in order to produce world class sports persons for international competitions such as the Olympics. Disclosing this to media here on Monday, the Commissioner (Sports) H Deleep Singh said that the government has identified Archery, Judo, Boxing, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Taekwondo. The move was initiated by the department couple of years back. He said 12 students (6 boys & 6 girls) in each 5 sports discipline (Archery, Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo &Wrestling) were enrolled each year considering the physical structure, aptitude and performance of players of the region after the establishment of National Sports Academy which have annual intake capacity of 72 students per year since last seven years, in 2007.However things needs to be revisited and regained for better results of the sports activities of the state, Deelep said while responding to a question on disappearance of the playfields in the state particularly in the valley areas. He however claimed that the numbers of playgrounds have increased in the hill areas. The success of the sports movement in our state is largely due to the strong sports movement and support from the localities and the government, he added. The department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Manipur has come a long way since its inception in 1980 after segregation from School Education department. It has been comprehensively working for promoting different facets of sports and youths. Manipur has so far produced as many as 17 Olympians after hockey goal keeper P Nilkamal become the first Olympian in 1984 Los Angeles Olympic games. This time, six sports persons from Manipur -weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu(women’s 48kg), Laishram Bombayla Devi (women’s archery), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Anuradha Thokchom (women’s field hockey), Khadangbam Kothajit and Chinglensana Kangujam (men’s field hockey) are representing the country in Rio Olympics.