Imphal, July 14 (Representative) Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday said Sports Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has approved the opening of District Level Khelo India Centre for different sports disciplines in all 16 Districts of the state.. Speaking during handing over of Rs. 5 Lakh each to District Youth Affairs and Sports Officers of 16 districts of the State to start the functioning of the District Level Khelo India Centre at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Biren said Government of India had taken up initiative to establish 1000 Khelo India Centres across the Country under the Khelo India Programme.
He said Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Cycling, Fencing, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Football and Traditional sports had been included as identified sports disciplines under the Khelo India Centre.The Chief Minister informed that a total amount of Rs. 1,12,00,000 had been sanctioned on May 31, 2021 for 16 districts of Manipur for preparation/ upgradation of sports field, purchase of equipment, sports kit and remuneration for engagement of Mentor and supporting staff. He added that Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in 3 sports disciplines including Archery, Hockey and Weightlifting at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal would also start very soon as per the guidance of the Sports Ministry.
Biren was hopeful that attracting youths towards the field of games and sports would help them to stay away from drugs related activities and consumption. As such, he sought support of all the players and other stakeholders, who had been taking an important role in promoting sports, in the Government initiatives to develop the infrastructure of the sports sector under the Khelo India Programme.He further mentioned that Government Schools of the State had recorded a high pass percentage of 60.40 percent in the recently declared High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination 2022 result. The pass percentage of Government Schools in HSLC Examinations conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur hadn’t crossed 55 percent in the last ten years.
Appreciating all the students, teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Schools for their dedicated efforts towards achieving such record pass percentage, he informed that headmasters and teachers of Government Schools which had secured high pass percentage in the recent HSLC Examinations will be rewarded on August 13 this year.The identified sports disciplines for different districts are Fencing for Imphal East, Cycling for Imphal West, Judo for Thoubal, Badminton for Kakching, Senapati, Jiribam and Tamenglong, Football for Chandel, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Noney, Rowing for Bishnupur and Boxing for Churachandpur.