Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh handed over cheques amounting to 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. The fund distribution programme was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Chief Minister stated that the Ministry of Sports, Government of India had taken up the initiative to establish 1000 Khelo India Centres across the Country under the Khelo India Programme. He further said that 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. As such, the Sports Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Government of India had approved the opening of District Level Khelo India Centre for different sports disciplines at 16 Districts of Manipur.

The Chief Minister informed that a total amount of one crore twelve lakh Rupees had been sanctioned on 31^st May 2021 for 16 districts of Manipur for preparation/ upgradation of the sports field, purchase of equipment, sports kit and remuneration for engagement of Mentor and supporting staff. He added that the 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.

N. Biren is hopeful that attracting youths to the field of games and sports would help them to stay away from drugs related activities and consumption. As such, he sought the 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 per cent 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 per cent 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 13^th August 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.

Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister  Govindas Konthoujam, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Principal Secretary (YAS)  S.S. Chhabra, Director (YAS)  T. Phulen Meitei, District Youth Affairs and Sports Officers and other officials of Youth Affairs and Sports Department attended the programme among others.  

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