North East is full of sports talents. But the talents are lying unexplored to a great extent. The proposed sports varsity in Manipur would go a long way to bridge the gap. It would be a huge boost to the field of north east sports.

This was more or less of what speakers after speakers said at a seminar in Imphal on Saturday.  Organized jointly by Indian Chamber of Commerce, North Eastern Council, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports,  the North East Sports Conclave focused on infrastructure development, training, challenges and opportunities . 

 ICC Regional Director Ishantor Sobhapandit urged the industry to invest on sports and sportsperson and the national Sports University should bring investment in terms of manufacturing sports goods and utilities. In his keynote address sports director N Ashok Kumar said there has been clamor for sports as subject in school curriculum and it is a welcome move to have a National Sports University in the state.

Former hockey captain Bharat Chetri said the North East is the power house of sports map and that the region should have comprehensive region focused sports policy that would address issues like fixed remuneration to the athletes who represent their state and country in various events.

NEC secretary Ameising Luikham said the scope and optimize opportunities that sports offer so that the talented youth of the region should be explored to take up sports as an alternative career option. 

Manipur Parliamentary Secretary Mairenbam Prithviraj Singh laid stress on taking up sports by youths to physically and mentally fit to build a healthy and productive nation and expressed his gratitude to Govt. of India’s decision to establish National Sports University in Imphal.

 In his address Chief Guest minister Irengbam Hemochandra Singh who is President of Manipur Olympic Association thanked the Centre for allocating Rs 100 crores budget for the National Sports University in Manipur which is indeed recognition of Manipur sporting power house  for which the government is availing required acres of land.

 The Sports Session was chaired by Dr. R. K. Nimai who discussed elaborately discussed and spoke on the draft bill of the National Sports University. Dr. R K Dinesh Singh outlined on the need of architectural funding for sports infrastructure, training and  through private public partnership and industry should invest in sports and sportsperson from their annual CSR funds.

The focus of the session was the powerpoint presentation on NEC’s perspective on National Sports University in Manipur by Gautam Chintey. Tsering Wangey, President, Arunachal Mountaineering & Adventure Sports Association (AMASA). spoke on Aspects of Adventure Sports and Mountaineering Sports University in Manipur, Dhronacharya Awardee Coach  L. Ibomcha Singh Trustee/Advisor Mary Kom Boxing Foundation  spoke Coaching as Career Option in Sports in North East India and politics that is killing the spirit of sports.

Bale Thakel, CEO Ya Re Asia, Founder and Owner FC Imphal (Football) spoke on  Investment Opportunities in Sports: Football talent in small towns of North East, . L Somi Roy

Manager Organizer of Polo spoke on International Dimensions of  Polo-the game that originated in Manipur,  Sunil Elangbam, Secretary, Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) and Prof. (Dr.) K Sarat Chandra Singh  President, Manipur Polo Association spoke on the Role of Club, Boards, Associations and Federations to facilitate Sporting Talents and Expectations from Sports University in Imphal. The conclave was attended by several discipline sports associations from across North east and few of them submitted representations and memorandums.