Imphal: The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur,is organising a two-day consultative meeting on the Manipur State Youth Policy, 2026, and the Manipur State Sports Policy, 2026, at the Canteen Hall of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, opposite to the Indoor Stadium, to develop a comprehensive framework for youth empowerment and sporting excellence in the State.
Addressing the opening ceremony today, Minister, Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Manipur, Govindas Konthoujam said Manipur’s rich sporting heritage and the natural talent of its youth must be supported through proper guidance, scientific training and a strong institutional framework. He emphasised that the two policies are essential to address changing needs and create better opportunities for the younger generation.
Recalling the evolution of sports policies in the State, he said Manipur’s first sports policy was drafted in 1992 in line with the National Sports Policy of 1984 and was later updated in 2003 alongside the Youth Policy. He said changing trends and developments in sports and youth affairs made it necessary to revise the policies to meet present-day needs.
Highlighting Manipur’s achievements, Govindas Konthoujam said the State had produced 19 Olympians, reflecting its remarkable sporting potential. However, he stressed that sustaining such achievements required a shift towards scientific talent identification, modern coaching techniques and specialised support for athletes. Referring to Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025, he said developments at the national level had further underscored the need to strengthen the State’s sports policy.
Emphasising the role of sports science, Minister Govindas said scientific assessment of athletes’ physiology, physical capabilities and individual strengths could help identify suitable sporting disciplines and improve performance. He pointed to the importance of sports medicine, scientific coaching and specialised training facilities, referring to institutions such as the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, as examples of structured sports development.
The proposed Manipur State Sports Policy, 2026, seeks to build a modern, inclusive and athlete-centric sports ecosystem through scientific talent scouting, improved infrastructure, high-performance training, athlete welfare and transparent governance. It also aims to strengthen coordination among Government departments, educational institutions, sports associations, local bodies and private stakeholders.
The Minister further stressed that youth who are unable to secure recognition in sports or other fields should also receive appropriate guidance, skill development opportunities and support to build meaningful careers.
Referring to youth engagement initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country, he said Manipur needed to create more avenues for constructive youth participation. The Manipur State Youth Policy, 2026, seeks to address this need by promoting education, entrepreneurship, leadership, sports, health, culture, digital empowerment and social cohesion. The policy envisions young people as active contributors to peace, progress, innovation and sustainable development. It aims to empower them to become self-reliant and socially responsible while preserving the State’s cultural identity and preparing them to meet emerging challenges.
Acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the State, the Minister expressed hope that the two-day consultation would generate practical suggestions and help develop policies that could be implemented effectively. He stressed the importance of collective participation in ensuring that the proposed initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the youth of Manipur.
Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports, N. Praveen Singh, said the two policies must remain responsive to changing trends, emerging challenges and the aspirations of young people. He stated that consultations with experienced individuals and stakeholders had been undertaken to ensure that the policies reflected the needs and realities of the State.
Highlighting the relationship between education and sports, the Secretary said schools and sports institutions must work in coordination to enable young people to pursue education while developing their sporting abilities. He observed that the separation of the two sectors often limited opportunities for promising young athletes.
N. Praveen Singh said the Department had sought to incorporate grassroots-level needs and address the requirements of youth up to the last mile. He emphasised the importance of scientific knowledge, skill development and the involvement of different stakeholders in identifying and nurturing talent. He expressed hope that the consultation would help bridge existing gaps and establish a practical framework for youth development and sporting advancement.
Director, Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mayengbam Veto Singh, said the consultation was being undertaken in line with the broader national approach to youth development, including Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to youth engagement.
Observing that sports development had traditionally focused largely on physical infrastructure and playgrounds, Dr. Veto Singh said the approach now needed to be more comprehensive. He stressed the importance of integrating talent identification, scientific training, athlete welfare, policy planning and institutional support to meet contemporary sporting requirements. He said the Department was gathering views from sports personalities, coaches, administrators, sports journalists and other stakeholders to ensure that the proposed policies were practical and relevant. Public feedback would also be sought to further strengthen the policy documents before their finalisation.
The Director also highlighted the role of corporate social responsibility initiatives, sports entrepreneurs, incubation centres and skill development institutions in supporting youth-oriented programmes. He said collaboration with these stakeholders could help mobilise resources, expand opportunities and strengthen implementation despite financial limitations.
The Manipur State Sports Policy, 2026, also places emphasis on gender equity, para sports, indigenous games and safe sporting environments. While preserving the State’s traditional sporting practices, it seeks to encourage modern technologies and global best practices to improve performance and broaden participation.
Similarly, the Manipur State Youth Policy, 2026, envisages a future in which young people are physically fit, mentally resilient, culturally rooted and socially responsible. Through coordinated efforts involving Government institutions, educational institutions, communities, civil society and the private sector, the policy aims to create an enabling environment for youth to realise their potential and contribute to the State’s development.
Both policies underline the need for inclusive participation, transparent systems, measurable outcomes and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation. Their success will depend on sustained institutional support and the active involvement of athletes, coaches, administrators, communities and young people themselves.
The two-day consultative meeting is expected to provide a platform for exchanging experiences, identifying gaps and incorporating stakeholder suggestions to strengthen the policies and establish a clear direction for youth engagement and sports development in Manipur.
Among those present at the opening function were L. Ibomcha Singh, Dronacharya Awardee, and N. Kunjarani Devi, Olympian, along with officers of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and other stakeholders from the sporting community.
