Imphal: A one-day consultative meeting on “The Inclusion of Disability Sports in the Manipur State Sports Policy,” held at Hotel Imphal on Thursday, underscored the need to upgrade sports infrastructure and create structured support systems for persons with disabilities.
The consultation on the inclusion of para sports in the State Sports Policy was organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Manipur, in collaboration with NGOs working in the sector and in consultation with the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS).
Addressing the gathering, N. Praveen Singh, IAS, Secretary, YAS, said plans were underway to strengthen facilities for athletes with disabilities. He noted that the proposed measures include the provision of specialised equipment, deployment of trained coaches, and the development of clear participation pathways from grassroots to elite levels. He identified community sports, volunteerism, and mass participation as key drivers for building a sustainable sports culture.
C. Dhandapani, Regional Director of the Sports Authority of India – North East Regional Centre (SAI-NERC), Imphal, described the initiative as a significant step towards establishing a structured pathway for para athletes to progress to the Paralympic level. He highlighted critical components of para sports development, including athlete classification, talent identification, coaching, sports science support, academic assistance, access to assistive devices, and governance mechanisms.
Dhandapani said formal inclusion of disability sports in the State policy would help ensure institutional backing, operational clarity, robust monitoring frameworks, and financial support. Referring to existing national systems under the Sports Authority of India, such as para-athlete support wings and nodal centres, he suggested adapting similar models in Manipur. He also emphasised the importance of mapping children with disabilities through schools, standardising classification tools, and aligning infrastructure with appropriate sports disciplines.
Officials from SAI outlined funding avenues, convergence mechanisms, and partnership strategies aimed at strengthening disability sports in the State. The programme also featured stakeholder inputs and an open discussion session.
The meeting was attended by N. Praveen Singh, IAS, Secretary, YAS, as chief guest, W. Birahari Singh, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, as president, Ng. Uttam Singh, MCS, Joint Secretary, TA and Hills, M. Akshay Kumar, President, Special Olympic Association, Mayengbam Veto Singh, MCS, Director, YAS, and C. Dhandapani, Regional Director, SAI-NERC, Imphal, as guests of honour.