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.
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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.
The Union Minister also categorically mentioned the achievements of sportspersons of the State, mentioning the sportsmanship of Manipuri sportspersons who had brought laurels for the country . He commended the sportswomen who had made the country proud and hoped the other states will give extra efforts to bring more players who could add to the pride.
Concluding his speech, Shri Anurag Thakur suggested the participating sports ministers of different states and union territories to share their experience and showcase what initiatives they had taken up to develop sports infrastructure in their respective states. He also asked them to learn from the experiences of one another and stressed the need to work together to make India a sports superpower.
The Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Biren Singh expressed gratitude that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India approved the opening of 32 Khelo India Centres across 16 districts of the State. Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in three sports disciplines of Archery, Hockey and Weightlifting would also start very soon, he said. He also informed that completion of National Sports University (NSU) is also underway and added that the University would play an important role in shaping the future of Sports in India. He also maintained that the State Government is extending every possible support to promote sports culture and sportspersons in the state.
Shri N. Biren further informed that upgradation of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex through PPP model and as External Aided Projects are also underway. Integration of Sports Science, Use of Artificial Intelligence and video analysis in the training of young budding athletes in collaboration with private partners will help in developing sports in the state.
Union Minister of State for YAS and Home Shri Nisith Pramanik in his address to the gathering said that government is setting and formulating new schemes for the promotion of sports in the country. He also said that Manipur is befitting place to host the conference and a place for inspiration among the states to encourage each other and work together for promotion of sports.
A photo Exhibition organized by Central Bureau of Communication, Regional Office, Imphal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was also inaugurated by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports(YAS) and Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur along with Union Minister of State for YAS and Home Nisith Pramanik .The photo-exhibition was on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Mission LIFE, 9 Saal Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan as part of the Chintan Shivir at the City Convention Centre, Imphal.
Presentation and interactive sessions on the topics Yuva Portal, Restructuring the National Youth Festival, Overview of Khelo India and other Schemes of Government of India, Innovation in Sport Sector were deliberated in the technical sessions of the Chintan Shivir.
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