Imphal, July 20: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated four buildings of the National Sports Academy at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal today.
The buildings comprise hostels for boys and girls, a sports hostel and indoor stadium.
Constructed by the Manipur Development Society, the boys’ and girls’ hostels cost Rs 474.28 lakh each, with a capacity of 150 beds each.
The sports hostel, constructed with funds from the 12th Finance Commission, cost Rs 433.76 lakh with 150 beds and the indoor hall costs Rs 412.86 lakh.
Chief minister O. Ibobi Singh said the National Sports Academy was an acknowledgement to the spirit and sporting talent of the state.
He added that the total cost of the project was around Rs 18.45 crore.
The chief minister added that the annual intake of the academy is 60 students, of which 50 per cent are reserved for state students and the remaining for outstation students. At present, there are 159 students at the academy, of whom 58 are girls.
The disciplines at the academy are archery, boxing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.
Youth affairs and sports minister D.D. Thaisii, along with irrigation and flood control minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker I. Hemochandra Singh and other MLAs attended the inaugural function.
Referee promoted: Ex-Elite national referee L. Yaima Singh was promoted as state referee instructor by the All Manipur Football Association according to the assessment of the four-day referee instructor course.
L. Ibohal Meitei, M. Nilo Meitei and K. Brojen Singh have also been elevated to district referee instructors.