6th DBASA Sports Meet gets underway

DIPR
Chandel, Jan 13 : The 6th Dingpi Border Area Sporting Association (DBASA) Sports Meet began at New Samtal village in Chandel district, yesterday.
The inaugural function was attended by YAS and Water Resources Minister, Letpao Haokip; Seithang Haokip, ADC Member 18-Songjang; N Shokhongam Baite (MCS), SDO Khengjoi; Seiminthang Lenthang (MCS), SDO Chakpikarong; Augustine Khongjai, Additional SP Chandel and Colonel Manish Sharma, SM CO 13th AR Sehlon as the presidium  members.
Addressing the programme, Letpao Haokip expressed concern on the growing trend in the State, where every community and stakeholders have been demanding their separate homelands and stated that it is high time the present generation learn to imbibe and follow the ideals and spirit of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who epitomises unity and oneness.
Letpao Haokip stated that there seems to be a ‘political imbroglio’ in society wherever everyone wants their share of sovereignty or autonomy.
“It’s high time that we all recall Sardar Patel, the man who worked relentlessly to unite India, and should collectively work towards a united Manipur in the truest possible way,” he added.
The YAS Minister also stated that such sporting events, especially in remote areas of the State, will help in tapping the sporting talents among the youth, and will also help in bringing them up to bigger platforms and better opportunities.
He stressed on the importance of discipline in order to excel in sports, and in every other aspect of life as well.
YAS Minister Letpao Haokip further mentioned that the State Government is committed to bring development to the interior areas of the State such as New Samtal, and added that roads and the power supply have been improved a lot in the last few years.
Citing the immense role played by the Indian Army in bringing development to remote areas of Manipur, the Minister thanked the Indian Army for always being a ‘good friend’ to the people of hill areas.
Later, Letpao Haokip along with Colonel Manish Sharma handed over various sports items to the members of DBASA.
The items were sponsored by the 13th AR Sehlon.
The DBASA Sports Meet will go on till January 18, and is an annual sports meet of the border villages belonging to Khengjoi sub-division of Chandel district.
Similarly, Letpao Haokip also cut the ribbon for the inauguration of the Pu Ngulkhup Haokip Memorial Park, Anglo-Kuki War Hero 1917-1919 on January 11 at Lonpi (Mombi) village, Chandel district.