Central and State government should come together and have an open discussion on how to promote sports in their respective states : Anurag Singh Thakur
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 2-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of States/UTs being held in Imphal, Manipur today via video message.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight that ‘Chintan Shivir’ is taking place in Manipur this year and many sportspersons from the Northeast have raised the glory of the Tricolour by winning medals for the country. The Prime Minister highlighted the indigenous games of the region such as Sagol Kangjai, Thang-ta, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna and Hiang Tannaba, and said that they are very attractive in their own right. “Northeast and Manipur have significantly contributed to taking forward the sports tradition of the country”, Shri Modi added. Further explaining the indigenous games, the Prime Minister mentioned Oo-Lawabi of Manipur which resembles Kabaddi, Hiyang Tannaba reminds one of Kerala’s boat race. He also noted Manipur’s historical association with polo and said that the Northeast adds new colours to the country’s cultural diversity and provides new dimensions to the country’s sports diversity. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Sports Ministers from all over the country will have a learning experience at the end of the ‘Chintan Shivir’.
“Any Chintan Shivir begins with contemplation, proceeds with rumination and ends with implementation”, the Prime Minister remarked, throwing light on the Chintan Shivir and underlined the need to discuss future goals and also review the previous conferences. Recalling the previous meeting in Kevadiya in 2022, the Prime Minister pointed out that many important issues were discussed and an agreement was reached to make a road map for an ecosystem for the betterment of sports. The Prime Minister touched upon increasing the participation between the center and the states in the sports sector and highlighted the strides that have been made possible. He further added that this review should not be carried out at the level of policies and programs but on infrastructure development and sports achievements of the previous year.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports(YAS) and Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Shri Banwari Lal Purohit, Manipur Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, Union Minister of State for YAS and Home Shri Nisith Pramanik, Secretary Youth Affairs Meeta R. Lochan and Secretary Sports Sujata Chaturvedi of the Ministry of YAS and Manipur Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar graced the inaugural session of the Chintan Shivir.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in his key note address said that despite having small population of just 36 lakhs Manipur had contributed a lot in the field of sports, compared to other bigger states. Acknowledging the contribution, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had sanctioned for developing the first National Sports University in the State and an approximate amount of Rs. 900 crores will be spent for developing the University, he added. He also spoke on the popularity of indigenous games of Manipur, adding that the Central Government had also adopted many indigenous games in the Khelo India. He further said that Central and State governments should come together and have and open discussion on how to promote sports in their respective states.
