Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15 2010:
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren today visited Thoubal and Chandel to inspect the progress of the sports complexes being constructed in the two districts.
During the inspection of the sports complexes being constructed under third phase of the Special Plan Assistance with Manipur Development Society (MDS) as implementing agency, the Minister was accompanied by MLA Surchandra and other officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department.
Talking to media persons after the inspection, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Boby Waikhom informed that there has been a lot of progress in the construction work of the sports complex in Chandel district.
The land covering an area of 15 acres on which the sports complex is being constructed has been donated by Chandel Christian Village, he disclosed, adding that the total estimated cost of constructing the sports complex is Rs 15 crores.
The sports complex will include athletic field, VIP gallery, public gallery, boys & girls hostel, staff quarters, indoor stadium, etc.
In connection with the construction of the sports complex in Thoubal district, Bobby Waikhom pointed out that there has been not much progress as there was some problem in the selection of the site.
However, now the construction work has gained momentum, he said.
Similarly, construction work of the sports complex at Senapati district is also going on in full swing, the Director informed.
Stating that efforts are being made for construction of sports complexes in the other districts of the State as well, the Director disclosed that in case of Ukhrul district, approval has been received under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources for construction of the sports complex at Paksi ground.
Construction work would start as soon as the required fund is deposited in the account of the State Government, he assured.
The Director further assured that the construction work on the multipurpose sports complex which is currently being taken up at Jiribam with funding from Special Plan Assistance would be completed very soon.
As the multi-purpose sports complex at Jiribam will have the same kind of environment that one can expect outside Manipur, players who are selected for participation in the National level championships would be given training for a minimum of 10 days at the Jiribam multipurpose sports complex.
After the completion of the works on construction of district sports complexes, the Youths Affairs and Sports Department is also planning to construct a number mini sports complexes in all the sub-divisions, he disclosed, while expressing hope that such infrastructures would help in honing the sporting talent of more and more youths in the State.