A week after its inauguration, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Friday handed over Manipur Olympic Park located at Sangaithel, a hillock on the outskirts of Imphal, to the people.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the chief minister acknowledged the contributions of local clubs in moulding the careers of the 19 Olympians, who brought respect and recognition to the state and country.
Calling the Olympians from the state as ‘living legends, Singh said the Olympian Park developed in an area of 12 acres was created to honour the 19 Olympians from Manipur and also to encourage players of the state.
Manipur has been referred to as ‘Powerhouse of sports’ and the first National Sports University has been set up in the State, he said and appealed to all citizens to create a healthy society free from drugs.
On the demand for providing assistance and jobs to sports persons, Singh said that suitable government jobs were given to the sportspersons who won gold medals at national and international levels as a part of one-time solution in the past. The same opportunity will be provided through one-time initiative soon, he added.
Appreciating the village chiefs and civil society organisation leaders, the chief minister Singh said that villagers have voluntarily started destroying poppy plants in the hills.
Works minister, Govidas Konthoujam, who also holds the sports portfolio, said the government led by Biren Singh has been initiating developmental projects with a difference for welfare of the people.
“Even this Olympian park which will also accommodate statues of any state sportspersons participating in Olympics in future, was developed within a period of eight months,” he said and added that the government is also planning to set up an excellence centre within the park to provide world class training facilities in judo, weightlifting and boxing.
President of Manipur Olympic Association, Dr. Th Radheshyam and deputy chairman of state planning board, S Rajen, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier on January 6, Union Home minister Amit Shah inaugurated the park.