Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday highlighted the role of local clubs in nurturing young talent and promoting sports across the state.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Chingamathak College Road Youths’ Development Association (CRYDA) at Ima Chinga Lairembi Meetin Shang in Chingamathak, Imphal, Khemchand said local clubs operating across Manipur play an important role in shaping the character of young people.
He said the state’s success in producing sportspersons could also be attributed to the support provided by local clubs, particularly to talented youth from economically weaker sections.
“The local club always takes the responsibility of providing invaluable support and assistance to talented youth emerging from the weaker section of society,” he said, adding that the culture of community support was something Manipur could be proud of.
The Chief Minister said while government support remained important, the contribution of local clubs to sports development was equally significant.
Recalling his earlier tenure as Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Khemchand said he had more opportunities to visit localities in the Singjamei constituency, meet residents and address their grievances.
He said his responsibilities as Chief Minister, amid the prevailing law and order situation in the state, had limited his ability to interact with people at the grassroots level as frequently as before.
Referring to former political leaders Irengbam Tompok Singh and Haobam Bhuban Singh, whom he described as the “Pride of Singjamei”, Khemchand said he hoped to be remembered in the same way in the future.
He appealed to residents to extend collective support and cooperation towards restoring normalcy in Manipur.
CRYDA president Kakchingtabam Ajitkumar Sharma thanked local residents and members of the golden jubilee celebration committee for their contribution to the event. He said the association could not function effectively without the active involvement and support of the community.
As part of the celebrations, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to the association’s deceased founder members. Mementos were also presented to founder members, former and current office-bearers, donors and members of the celebration committee.
The event was attended by Imphal Municipal Corporation Acting Mayor Laisangbam Lokeshwar Singh, Corporators Thokchom Bankimchandra Singh and Thokchom Eliza, senior advocate Naorem Umakanta Singh, who chaired the golden jubilee celebration committee, Leiphrakpam Bimo Devi, president of Chingamathak Nupi Thougal Lup, association office-bearers and local residents.
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