Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, Mar 13: A deputation of Manipur State BJP called on Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh at his office here today and submitted a memorandum on behalf of State BJP President Chaoba Singh demanding a hockey stadium at Imphal. They also handed over a copy of letter from Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, in support of the project which is estimated to cost Rs.676.51 crore.
The deputation comprising, among others, State BJP Vice-President Haokholet Kipgen, State BJP General Secretary L. Bashanta Sharma and MLA Biswajit Singh requested Dr Jitendra Singh to take up under North Eastern Council (NEC) the project for construction of the above stadium at the venue of South East Youth Organisation (SEYO), Akampat, Imphal East. In support of their request, they cited the examples of several international and national level sports persons like Tiken Singh, Olympian, Thoiba Singh, Olympian and Nilakamol Singh, Olympian who were associated with SEYO.
Responding to their request, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the project for hockey stadium in Imphal already exists in the priority list for funding from NEC but when he took over the charge of the DoNER Ministry about three months back, he was told that this project had got delayed for want of funds. He said, he will seriously look into the matter and try to find a way out.
Dr Jitendra Singh referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent two visits to Northeast and the announcement made by him for setting up a Sports university in Manipur. He said, such a suggestion from the Prime Minister is inspired by the belief that a Sports university will facilitate optimum channelisation of youth potential in the region. This may also help bring down the exodus of youth from the region in search of employment and at the same time, help in grooming the abundant talent for sports among the youth of the region, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured, he would also take up the matter with Union Minister of Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal, who would be able to appreciate the requirement, for a hockey stadium since he also hails from the same part of the country.
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