Imphal: Former minister L. Jayentakumar commended the resilience of Manipur’s sports community, noting that many talented athletes from the state are unable to reach international platforms due to a lack of resources.
Jayentakumar praised those who continue to bring achievements despite hurdles and the ongoing unrest.
He was speaking at the medal reception ceremony of Brave Taekwondo Academy, held at the community hall of Pishum Ningom Leirak, Imphal West on Sunday. The function honoured students who had earned medals over the past three years.
He observed that while many of Manipur’s sportspersons excel at the grassroots level, they often fall behind at more advanced stages due to inadequate financial assistance, infrastructure constraints, and lack of playgrounds. Noting a shift in focus toward indoor sports, he said such games require less space and offer more feasible opportunities for local athletes.
Calling sports a form of psychological warfare, he encouraged students to maintain a balance between academics and athletics to achieve success in life.
Superintendent of Police (Special Crime and Departmental Cases), Roni Mayengbam, remarked that any athlete can attain success by following strict discipline, adding that Taekwondo is among the most disciplined sports, demanding unwavering commitment from its players. He also thanked parents and teachers for supporting and guiding the young athletes.
The ceremony recognised medal winners from several prestigious competitions, including the 17th and 18th Governor’s Taekwondo Cup (2023 and 2025), the 33rd and 39th Manipur State Taekwondo Championships (2024 and 2025), and the National Beginners Taekwondo Championship held in 2024 at Shree Vishnudhanand Saraswati Vidyalaya, Kolkata.
Other dignitaries at the event included former Head of the Department of Education at Manipur College, Y. Bimola Devi and former UDC of Imphal Municipal Corporation, Pukhrambam Kesharjit.
