Guwahati, October 16: The Manipur government is reviewing its youth and sports policies to strengthen talent identification, scientific training, athlete welfare and youth empowerment, with a focus on creating better opportunities for the state’s younger generation.
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports on Friday organised a two-day consultative meeting on the proposed Manipur State Youth Policy, 2026, and Manipur State Sports Policy, 2026, at the Canteen Hall of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal.
Addressing the inaugural session, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam said Manipur’s rich sporting heritage and the natural talent of its youth needed proper guidance, scientific training and strong institutional support to sustain the state’s achievements.
Recalling the evolution of sports policies in Manipur, he said the state’s first sports policy was drafted in 1992 in line with the National Sports Policy of 1984 and subsequently updated in 2003 alongside the youth policy. Changing trends and emerging requirements in sports and youth affairs had made a fresh revision necessary, he added.
Highlighting the state’s sporting achievements, the minister said Manipur had produced 19 Olympians. He stressed that sustaining such success required scientific talent identification, modern coaching methods, specialised training facilities and sports medicine.
Referring to the Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025, he said developments at the national level further underlined the need for a comprehensive sports policy suited to the state’s requirements.
The proposed youth policy seeks to promote education, entrepreneurship, leadership, sports, health, culture, digital empowerment and social cohesion. It envisions young people as active contributors to peace, innovation and sustainable development while preserving Manipur’s cultural identity.
Acknowledging the state’s financial constraints, the minister expressed hope that the consultation would generate practical recommendations for policies that could be implemented effectively.
Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports N. Praveen Singh said the policies needed to reflect changing trends, emerging challenges and the aspirations of young people. He said consultations with experienced individuals and stakeholders had been undertaken to ensure that the proposed frameworks addressed the state’s needs.
Emphasising the link between education and sports, he said schools and sports institutions should work together to enable young people to pursue their education while developing their sporting abilities. Better coordination, he added, was essential to prevent promising athletes from losing opportunities because of the separation between the two sectors.
The department was collecting suggestions from sportspersons, coaches, administrators, sports journalists and other stakeholders. Public feedback would also be sought before the policy documents were finalised, he added.
Veto Singh further highlighted the potential role of corporate social responsibility initiatives, sports entrepreneurs, incubation centres and skill development institutions in mobilising resources and expanding opportunities for young people.
The two policies emphasise inclusive participation, transparent systems, measurable outcomes and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation through coordinated efforts involving government departments, educational institutions, communities, civil society and the private sector.
Dronacharya Award recipient L. Ibomcha Singh and Olympian N. Kunjarani Devi were among those present at the inaugural function, along with departmental officials and representatives of the sporting community.