Imphal, October 21, 2021 (DIPR): Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh has urged the people to shun all forms of factionalism and disunity so that the State may march forward towards development with unity.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the felicitation function organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department to fete nine body builders, who have won prizes in different International competitions, at Multipurpose Indoor Hall, Khuman Lampak in Imphal East District today.
The Chief Minister said that infighting and factionalism is usually seen in many organisations including sports bodies in the State. As such, the Government is sometimes reluctant or even unable to take decision due to difference of opinions among warring parties. The Government could not felicitate the champion bodybuilders, who had brought laurels to the State and the country, on time due to the presence of two different body building bodies in the State earlier.
However, these two bodies had reconciled to merge into a single body after a dedicated intervention from the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, the Chief Minister said while adding that YAS Minister Shri Letpao Haokip, Secretary (YAS) Shri Bobby Waikhom and Director (YAS) Shri Armstrong Pame worked proactively to make this reconciliation a reality. Apart from honouring the bodybuilders who had made the State proud in different International competitions, the felicitation function was organised by the State Government to appreciate the executives and members of the bodybuilding association for its matured decision as well.
The Chief Minister also conveyed the gathering that he is currently extremely concerned with difference of opinion between two groups of people regarding Meitei/Meetei issue and infighting in the associations of Sepak Takraw and football as well. Regarding these issues, he urged all concerned to show unanimity and work with one voice and as a single body.
Mentioning the achievements of bodybuilders of the State, the Chief Minister said that Manipur has so far produced around 20 Mr. India title winners and more than 100 bodybuilders who could win different prizes in different National and International events. He also expressed glad that as the State now has a strong and united bodybuilding association, the Government would be able to extend support to champion body builders in the form of cash incentives or Government jobs.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Y. Joykumar and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Shri Letpao Haokip also attended the function as dignitaries. MANIDCO Chairman Shri Radheshyam Yumnam and Sekmai AC MLA Shri Heikham Dingo, Secretary (YAS) Shri Bobby Waikhom, Secretary to CM Shri N. Geoffrey, veteran bodybuilder Shri N. Maipak and executives of different sports bodies were also present at the occasion.
Cash prize of Rs 50,000 each was rewarded to three body builders namely, L. Rishikanta Singh, L. Dinesh Singh and A. Boby Singh while Rs. 40,000 was handed over to Th. Sarita Devi. Rs. 30,000 each was presented to N. Sarbo Singh and Y (O) Momota Devi and Rs. 20,000 each was given to three body builders namely, L. Neta Singh, W. Jamuna Devi and M. Janshi Devi at the function.
Later, five bodybuilders presented a bodybuilding show at the function.