Imphal: Manipur on Sunday celebrated Sanaroishingee Numit (Players' Day) 2024 remembering the historic achievement of Manipur in the 5th National Games held in 1999, where Manipur became the overall Champion and bagged the Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy.

During the celebration held at the Indoor Stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced to provide Government jobs to all the Gold Medalists of the 36th and the 37th National Games held at Gujarat and Goa respectively. He further announced the appointment of Naorem Roshibina Devi, the Wushu player who won silver medal in the 19th Asian Games, Hangzhou, China, as Deputy Superintendent of Police. The Chief Minister also inaugurated Mr. Maipak Sports Digital Experience Centre at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

Addressing the gathering, Biren elaborated on the schemes taken up for the welfare of sportspersons like Chief Minister's Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme, Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama and others and asked players from the State to avail the benefit of the Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme, which is a new initiative taken up to facilitate players in finding a way of life and means of livelihood.

Regarding the Digital Experience Centre, he said that the centre would provide benefits to players in their practice. “One can get information about successful sportspersons of the state and their achievements in the centre. Apart from this, the digital experience centre will also highlight information on various overnment schemes taken up for the welfare of sportspersons”, he added. 

He also said that the Digital Experience Centre had been named after bodybuilder Nongthombam Maipak Singh as recognition of his achievements in the field of bodybuilding. He further stressed on the need to honour and respects the achievements of elder sportspersons.

Taking part in the celebration organized by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur, state Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam, appreciated Chief Minister Biren for his concern and initiatives taken up for developing infrastructures in the field of games and sports.

Highlighting the Chief Minister's Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme, the sports minister said that 1000 athletes would be covered in the first phase under the scheme.

“The Government has been giving necessary financial assistance to players, despite the financial constraints the State is facing”, he said and expressed hopefulness that the sports sector would further develop in the State under the guidance of the Chief Minister and many players would continue to bring laurels for the State.

During the celebration, the Manipur CM also presented cash incentives to players who had won medals in various national and international sports events in their respective disciplines. Veteran players of the State were also felicitated during the celebration.

MLAs, government officials, veteran sportspersons, coaches and athletes from different parts of the State attended the celebration.