Imphal: Youth Affairs & Sports Minister, Govindas Konthoujam Saturday launched the District Sports Development Fund at the Conference Hall of DC Office, Bishnupur.
Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur, Lourembam Bikram; ADM, H. Bobby Sharma; District Youth Affairs & Sports Officer, Soibam Ibeyaima Devi; representatives of district-level sports organizations/associations; sportspersons from different disciplines and officials concerned attended the launching of the District Sports Development Fund.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Govindas Konthoujam lauded the District Administration for initiating – District Sports Development Fund – to support and encourage sportspersons and sports activities in the district by utilizing the prize money received under Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, 2021.
He expressed that the noble initiative will greatly aid in meeting the travel expenses of athletes and in organizing district level sport events. He also emphasized the importance of grooming budding sportspersons and guiding them to overcome any hurdle they may face at the later stage of their sports career. He hoped that the District Sports Development Fund will enable the sportspersons in achieving their goals and in steering the district towards betterment in the arena of sports
The Minister further stated that the government has put up proposals to the central ministry for developing and improving sports infrastructure in the State and the district as well.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the launching function, Deputy Commissioner Shri Lourembam Bikram stated that the idea to initiate the District Sports Development Fund was conceived out of the regular interactions and visits made at the sports training centres of the district. The overall objective of the financial support is to further push the athletes or sportspersons to excel and scale greater heights in sports activities and their respective disciplines in the future, he added.
It may be mentioned, as per the office memorandum, that the purpose of the creation of the District Sports Development Fund is to help sportspersons excel by providing them gap-filling funds for traveling for participation in national/international competitions of Olympic Sports discipline. The sportsperson should belong to a BPL family or be an orphan. The fund will also provide financial assistance for prize money in district or block level competitions up to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/- to regular performing district level clubs and organizations.
The Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, 2021 was conferred to Bishnupur District in April this year – for Best Performance in the implementation of ‘Promoting excellence in sports and wellness through Khelo India scheme’.
