Manipur sportspersons protest against threat to sports body

Sportspersons in Manipur have reacted strongly to reported rebel threats against the States sports body.

By LCK Singh

Imphal, Aug 23 : Sportspersons in Manipur have reacted strongly to reported rebel threats against the State's sports body.

Sports enthusiasts in State capital Imphal said that they wanted to excel in their field, and rebel threats like the one given to the Youth Sports Affairs Department was as a setback to their endeavours.

Robert, a Manipuri sportsperson, said: "We should stop them. We just want to play and do not want such hurdles to come our way. I want to play and move to the international level."

M Singh, another sportsperson, said: "The gun culture has started in Manipur. That fear has come in our minds, and in our department also. Everyone knows that the Youth Sports Affairs Department is working to bring us up to the international level, so we do not want such gun culture."

Umakanta said: "We would like to appeal that such types of pressure from the insurgent groups should not disturb sportspersons, who are working for Manipur, as well as for India."

Manipuris have made a name for themselves in several sports, be it boxing, hockey, basketball, archery or football. Sports in the State is seen as the ladder to socio-economic progress and development.

The angst of the youth against the ultras is understandable and the State Government needs to tap this to counter militancy.

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports is the nodal agency for implementation of youth welfare programmes and promotion of games and sports in Manipur. It was bifurcated from the Education Department on May 26, 1980.

The department gives financial assistance to the state level sports organisations for participation in the national and international level tournaments. It also gives incentive sports awards to the national and international achievers every year.

ANI