With the National Games fast approaching, Manipur’s athletes face uncertainty due to the closure of the MOA office by a militant group. Student groups urge swift resolution to preserve the State’s status as a powerhouse in Indian sports.
BY PC Bureau
Manipur’s athletes face the grim prospect of being unable to compete in the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand due to a ban imposed on the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) by a proscribed group. Five prominent student organizations have urgently appealed for the ban to be lifted, emphasizing the importance of allowing athletes to participate in the Games, scheduled from January 28 to February 14.
STUDENT ORGANISATIONS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER BAN ON MANIPUR OLYMPIC ASSOCIATIONhttps://t.co/50Vdy1ucOS via @YouTube#SKTV #SKTVMANIPUR #MANIPURSKTV #manipur #news #manipurnews #newsfrommanipur #manipurinews #manipuri #imphal
— SKTV (@sktvmanipur) January 5, 2025
The student bodies—including the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpang Lup (AIMS)—voiced their concerns as the MOA office at Khuman Lampak remains locked, disrupting vital preparations for the Games.
Speaking to the media outside the MOA office, DESAM president Mayengbam Somorjit highlighted Manipur’s significant role in Indian sports. “Manipur has always been at the forefront of sports in the country, earning the title of a sporting powerhouse despite limited resources and infrastructure. Our athletes have consistently outperformed expectations, bringing laurels to the State and the nation,” he said.
Manipur’s stellar performance in previous editions of the National Games has cemented its reputation as a leader in Indian sports.
This correspondent attempted to contact the Manipur Olympic Association using the mobile number listed on its website for a response, but the number was found to be invalid.
The upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand will feature 38 disciplines, with Manipur preparing to participate in 23 of them. However, the ban has severely impacted preparations, putting the State’s medal hopes in jeopardy. “Many of our athletes have been training tirelessly to uphold Manipur’s legacy at the Games, but this disruption risks undoing years of hard work,” Somorjit added.
The MOA plays a crucial role as the sole authority responsible for nominating and registering athletes, coaches, and officials for the National Games. With the registration deadline set for January 13, the ongoing ban and closure of the MOA office pose a significant obstacle. “Imposing a ban and locking the MOA office just weeks before the National Games is not only untimely but also deeply unfair to our athletes,” Somorjit said.
He also drew attention to Manipur’s history of producing world-class athletes, including 19 Olympians who have competed in disciplines such as hockey, boxing, weightlifting, judo, and archery. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, five athletes from Manipur represented India in four disciplines, reflecting the State’s enduring commitment to excellence in sports.
The student organizations reiterated their plea for the ban to be lifted immediately, urging all stakeholders to prioritize the future of Manipur’s athletes. “Our players have made immense sacrifices to bring pride to the State and the nation. Denying them the chance to compete on a national platform would be a grave injustice,” they said in a joint statement.
With the National Games fast approaching, time is running out for a resolution. The organizations called upon the concerned group to reconsider its stance, allowing Manipur’s athletes to continue their tradition of excellence and uphold the State’s reputation as a sporting powerhouse.
