Shrinking playground threat to state's sports culture
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 19, 2022 -

THERE is an unmistakable hint of festivity and exuberance in the air as Manipuri Vaishanavite Hindus finally get to celebrate the Holi or Yaoshang festival similar to the pre-pandemic years.

Though the threat posed by infectious disease is not yet over even after wreaking havoc to life and livelihood since early 2000, for teenagers as well as the younger adult population the constant dip in the number of daily positive cases would be nothing less than waning of the evil spell.

To these sections of the society, the evolving political situation over indecision within the BJP legislative party on who should head the new government wouldn't matter much as they look forward to indulge in revelries and merry-making, play with colours and compete in various competitions held to mark the Yaoshang festival.

With caretaker chief minister N Biren nonchalantly declaring during BJP's election victory celebration that this year the traditional Thabal Chongba wouldn't be prohibited, it is obvious that the festival would be celebrated full-throttle as it the time for the youngsters to explore possibilities of a romantic relationship.

In early part of 2018, Biren sought opinion of the public through social networking site on whether to continue celebrating Yaoshang for five days or shorten it to two days to which the state's newspaper publishers responded by curtailing the number of holidays only to reverse to the five-day break as distributors cited logistic issues during the festive period.

Thus, his announcement to allow celebration of the festival without any unwarranted prohibition would be feasted upon by the revellers.

As culture and tradition associated with Yaoshang festival cannot be changed overnight but entails creation of the right environment to move towards the direction of minimising wasteful activities, the need of the hour is to vigorously promote competitions in games and sports held across the state as a part of the festival for the past many years.

No doubt, from the global context many liken celebration of Yaoshang festival in Manipur to reckless driving and deprivation of peaceful sleep or rest to the ageing and ailing population, not to mention about feasting and merriment activities.

The only positive aspect of the festival is the emerging trend of organising sports meets across the state by the local clubs to help the youngsters to explore and hone their sporting talents.

While emergence of Manipur as a powerhouse of sports in India is attributed to Yaoshang sports meet, of late there is ample evidence of organisers in urban pockets according more importance to holding entertainment programmes, the reason being shrinking playgrounds.

Thus, it is imperative that the policy makers ponder deeply before initiating structural projects that could deprive the younger generation of physical activities nearest to home as well as take steps to ensure that the existing grounds are preserved and properly maintained so as to ensure that Manipur continues to produce champion sportspersons.

It also wished that the local MLAs sponsor zone or ward-wise sports competitions so as to identify outstanding performers and nurture them to become world class sportspersons.

As Manipur's sporting tradition and rich culture have been the envy of neighbours, saving both merits top priority of all the stakeholders.