New Delhi, August 03: “Focus on Sports in the North-Eastern Region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the last nine years under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. With the shift from ‘Look East Policy’ to ‘Act East Policy’, the government has given special emphasis and impetus to sports infrastructure in the region.
From setting up of the 1st National Sports University in Manipur at a cost of Rs. 634.34 crores to setting up of 227 Khelo India Centres (2 per district) in the Northeast shows the commitment of the Government to strengthen the sports ecosystem across all levels and bring the athletes from the North-east to the forefront.”. This was stated as a reply by the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in the Rajya Sabha today.
He further added that an additional of 75 sports projects with the outlay of Rs. 520.7 crores have been approved for the North-eastern States. There are 03 National Centre for Excellence, 12 SAI Training Centres and 22 Accredited Academies.
Under the Khelo India Scheme, while the first Khelo India Games (KIG) were held in Delhi where 3000 athletes participated, the second KIGs were held in Guwahati with a massive participation of 6100 athletes. This gave a huge impetus to sports in the Northeastern States.
This year a 2 day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of States and UTs was held in Imphal, Manipur in April where more than 100 invitees from various States, Union Territories participated to discuss the ways and plans on how to take sports ahead.
He also mentioned that sportspersons from Northeast such as Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu, Baichung Bhutia, Shiv Thapa, Lovlina Borgohain have brought laurels to the nation in international sports events such as Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championship.
