Government will always encourage sportspersons

Imphal: Government has been supporting sportspersons and will continue to encourage them in future as well, chief minister N. Biren Singh said on Sunday.

Biren was addressing at the closing function of the 9th Yumnam Rashmani Memorial U-15 Boys and U-17 Girls 7-A Side Hockey Tournament – 2021 at Youth Club Cum Information Centre, Kontha Ahallup in Imphal East.

Understanding the inconvenience and hardships faced by retired sportspersons, the state government had launched a pension scheme for unemployed sportspersons and coaches of 60 years and above who have represented at the state, national or international tournaments, Biren said.

It is because of the hard works of local clubs that Manipur has many established and renowned players. Yumnam Rashmani dedicated his life for the development of hockey, as such, a tournament is organised every year in his memory, he added. Biren announced that the hockey ground of YCCIC would be developed as a full-fledged astro turf hockey ground at the earliest.

Reiterating that there is no dearth of talents in Manipur, Biren said the state has rich talents not only in sports and culture but also in human resources. Recently, altogether 12 students had cracked NDA examination, he said and added that Manipur must be probably one of states which have highest number of Army officers if calculated through population ratio. “With the restoration of peace, people are now able to concentrate on their chosen professions and duties,” the chief minister said.

In the final matches YCCIC, Kontha Ahallup trounced Hockey Union, Lairikyengbam Leikai 5-1 in the Boys’ Section and SYUC, Uchekon overpowered YCCIC, Kontha Ahallup 8-0 in the Girls’ Section. The tournament began on March 7, an official statement said.

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