Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Northeast and Manipur have significantly contributed to taking forward the sports tradition of the country.

Addressing at a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of states/UTs in Imphal, Manipur via video message, the prime minister expressed his delight that ‘Chintan Shivir’ is taking place in Manipur this year where many sportspersons from the Northeast have raised the glory of the Tricolour by winning medals for the country.

Addressing the gathering, Modi highlighted the indigenous games of the region such as Sagol Kangjai, Thang-ta, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna and Hiang Tannaba, and said that they are very attractive in their own right.

Elaborating on the indigenous games, the prime minister mentioned Oo-Lawabi of Manipur which resembles Kabaddi, Hiyang Tannaba reminds one of Kerala’s boat race. He also noted Manipur’s historical association with polo and said that the Northeast adds new colours to the country’s cultural diversity and provides new dimensions to the country’s sports diversity.

He expressed confidence that sports ministers from all over the country will have a learning experience at the end of the ‘Chintan Shivir’.

“Any Chintan Shivir begins with contemplation, proceeds with rumination and ends with implementation,” the prime minister remarked, throwing light on the Chintan Shivir and underlined the need to discuss future goals and also review the previous conferences.

Recalling the previous meeting in Kevadiya in 2022, Modi pointed out that many important issues were discussed and an agreement was reached to make a road map for an ecosystem for the betterment of sports.

He called for increased participation of the Centre and the states in the sports sector and highlighted the strides that have been made possible. He further added that this review should not be carried out at the level of policies and programmes but on infrastructure development and sports achievements of the previous year.

Highlighting the performance of Indian athletes and sportspersons in the last year, the prime minister lauded their phenomenal efforts, especially in international sports events. He stressed on further extending help to the players while celebrating these achievements.

The prime minister pointed out that the preparations of the Sports Ministry and its departments will be tested in events like Squash World Cup, Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, and Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championship in the times to come and stressed that while players are preparing themselves, it is now time for the ministries to work with a different approach regarding sports tournaments.

Drawing an analogy of man-to-man marking in sports like football and hockey, he emphasised the need to carry out different strategies for each tournament and follow the approach of match-to-match marking. “You have to focus on sports infrastructure, and sports training according to each tournament. You also have to decide short-term, medium-term and long-term goals,” the Prime Minister said.

Highlighting the sporting developments carried out in the Northeast, Modi said the region is a huge inspiration for the nation. Projects worth more than Rs 400 crore related to sports infrastructure are giving a new direction to the development of the Northeast today.

The prime minister gave examples of the National Sports University of Imphal which will provide new opportunities to the youth of the country in the coming times, and efforts like Khelo India Scheme and TOPS that have played a big role in this.

Informing that at least 2 Khelo India Centres in every district of the Northeast, and Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in every state are being set up, the Prime Minister said these efforts would become the foundation of a new India in the sports world and will give a new identity to the country.

Concluding the address, Modi urged the stakeholder to speed up such works in the respective states and expressed confidence that the ‘Chintan Shivir’ will play an important role in this direction.