Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar during inaugural function of 8th Sports Meet cum Dimki Session 2019 at Makuilongdi village in senapati district on saturday
Photo: Northeast Now

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar on Sunday said sports have enormous contribution in character building and sports and academics can go hand-in-hand.

Joykumar said this while inaugurating the eighth Sports Meet cum Dimki Session 2019 at Makuilongdi village, around 64 km north west of Imphal under Senapati district.

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The sports meet was organized by Zeme Sports Association with the theme ‘Together we build’ and it will be participated by sports persons from 14 villages in different events including football and volleyball matches. The sports meet will conclude on January 11 next.

Recounting his student life where he used to play for about an hour helps improves concentration in studies he opined that the sports have a lot of contribution in character building.

Expressing happiness on setting foot at the picturesque Makuilongdi village he admitted that he deeply regretted not to have visited the lovely village during his posting as Superintendent of Police of Senapati district in the early eighties.

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Citing Makuilongdi Village Football ground as an asset for the village and its surrounding areas, he said the ground with its refreshing location for sports would someday be a breeding ground for budding sportsmen in the area.

Referring to the request or grievances mentioned in the memorandum submitted to him at the venue by Zeme Naga Council and the Makuilungdi Village Authority, he assured all possible assistance for construction of a 45 km motorable road from Makuilongdi to Bendramai.

Offering financial assistance towards the construction of traditional Zeliangrong ‘Morung’ at Makuilongdi village to promote and preserve traditional values of the Zeliangrong people, the Deputy Chief Minister also assured maximum support for setting up of office-cum-guest house at Senapati headquarters in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati.

In his speech Minister Tribal Affairs & Hills, Fisheries N Kayisii lauded the people for preserving unity at Makuilongdi and surrounding villages. Kayisii requested the gathering to enjoy liberty in one’s own choice during elections as per the true principle of a democratic country.

Maintaining that sports can contribute for all round development of a person, Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister also appealed to promote sports and games in the right approach.

Urging the participating teams to uphold discipline and show forth sportsmanship like conduct during the event, he also mentioned that sportsmen, especially in the tribal communities have been on the declining trend due to the lack of self-discipline.