Guwahati/Imphal, Dec. 9: With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) awarding the 2nd National Youth Games to Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) in 2011, Imphal is all set to build new infrastructure to accommodate some new disciplines.
Confirming that the Games were awarded to Manipur during the IOA annual general meeting in New Delhi vide a unanimous resolution on Monday, MOA general secretary L. Manglem said the dates were yet to be fixed but Imphal was ready to host the mega event.
The 1st National Youth Games, awarded to Bangalore, which would see nearly 6,000 athletes in the under-18 age group from all over India rubbing shoulders, is yet to be held.
Altogether 32 disciplines, including a few Asian Games disciplines like sepak takraw, wushu and Commonwealth Games disciplines like lawn bowls will be held.
“We have our infrastructure ready from the 5th National Games held in Imphal in 1999. What we need now is creation of some new infrastructure to accommodate the new Olympic charter disciplines like lawn bowls and more indoor stadiums to accommodate certain disciplines like handball and sepak takraw, among others, which have been shifted indoors nowadays. I think we have enough time to develop the infrastructure,” Manglem told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi.
Referring to the accommodation of the players and the technical officials, he said they could be accommodated at the National Games Village at Langol. The IOA officials could be given rooms at luxury hotels in Imphal, he added.
“Besides, our Olympic Bhawan, which is being constructed, will also be ready by next year. It will have enough VIP accommodation facilities,” Manglem added.
The Olympic Bhawan at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.82 crore and is set to be completed in March next year.