Declining performance demands urgent intervention of authorities

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 16 : Most players of the State have been giving commendable performances consistently over the years and their performance in the recent event namely Khelo India Youth Games which is an annual sporting event organised jointly by Sports Authority of India and School Games Federation of India under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports since 2018 was also quite impressive. Given their excellence in their respective fields, it is imperative for the State Government and Youth Affairs and Sports Department to honour and facilitate the medal winning players in getting their respective honorariums and incentives on time.
Though Manipur has been praised highly as "Sports Powerhouse" by many, the State has seen a considerable drop in performance in last few years. Participation of a handful of players  in 8 disciplines at the recently concluded Khelo India Youth Games was one of the instances which highlighted the deteriorating state of Sports in the State and it has raised concern of many sports enthusiasts. They also felt that it is high time for authorities concerned to look deeper and take a more pro-active role in fostering the State players by providing latest equipment and kits besides monetary and moral support. Apart from it, they also opined that the authorities and apex bodies of sports in the State should work closely and carve out more effective measures to enhance the performance of State players.
What is more distressing is the dwindling sports budget in the recent years although there is a growing need for more fund. Apart from it, the State has many a time failed to disburse related funds and expenses to players and coaches before their visit to other States for championships thereby forcing them to bear their own expenses. They even struggled to get their expenses long after their return.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, some players who represented Manipur in the 2019-20 edition of National School Games, complained that the State has not yet made any arrangement for refunding the expenditures they incurred. The players also drew attention of all concerned to reimburse their expenditures at the earliest.