Sports university site selected near Kakching: Chief Minister

THOUBAL, August 24: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that construction work of the Sports University in the State proposed earlier by the Indian government will be initiated soon, as the suitable site has been identified.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a children’s park community hall at Kakching Makha Leikai, he said Yaithibi hill on the eastern side of the Lousi pat has been selected for the sports university.

The Chief Minister said acknowledging the sports prowess and talents of the sportspersons from the State, the Central government had decided to set up the Sports University in the State.

He said ever since the university was proposed, several officials of the Sports ministry had arrived in the State and inspected suitable sites in all districts of the State, however, after inspecting the Yaithibi Hill site, the officials declared that it was the most suitable site.

Since the site has been selected, the State government has also initiated actions to start construction work at the earliest, the Chief Minister announced.

He said developmental works are not possible without support from the people.

Under the Look East Policy of the Indian government, the South East Asian countries will come closer to Manipur, he said before adding that the site for the sports university is also suitable when looked from this angle.

He said the size and shape of the location is also most suitable.

Kakching has also potential of becoming a major business hub of Manipur in the near future, he said while observing that the government has no interest to develop only Imphal.

Developing the peripheries of Imphal will eventually help in controlling the congestion in the State capital he said.

Elaborating on the development works presently in progress, the Chief Minister said the under construction railway line will reach Moreh latest by 2022 and once this rail connectivity reaches Myanmar, the South East Asian countries will only get closer with Manipur.

The Chief Minister also said that the government has to acquire around 1500 acre of land at Laiching near Kakching Lamkhai to set up an IIT.

As for Kakching area, the government has already allotted Rs 28 crore for widening of the IVR from Kakching to Langmeidong and the Imphal to Kakching via Mayang Imphal will be upgraded to the status of a National Highway, he said and appealed to all not to disturb the development of a water body at Irum River.