Student bodies gear up to cleanse sports

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 28: Sports in Manipur has fallen victim to politics, corruption and favouritism. There must be a public movement to reinvi-gorate sports, said student bodies including DESAM, KSA, SUK and  AIMS.
At the Kwakeithel office of DESAM, its secretary general, Nongthombam Thoithoiba said politics has maligned the sports arena degrading its value.
Sports is a symbol of National pride and unity, and it brings fame and laurels for the Nation. It promotes discipline, Nationalism and instills patriotism among youths. However, sports has been used as a tool to make money and get votes, he said.
Sports nowadays have been politicised. Politicians have joined sports associations with political objec- tives and motives. Such persons leading sports asso- ciations has degraded the value of games and sports, he added.
If the present trend continues, he said, Manipur would no longer remain a powerhouse of sports.
There must be a movement to revive sports and protect it from becoming a victim of politics, corruption and favouritism, he added.
The Government should keep sports free of politics and take up steps to promote it, he said.
He also urged public and sports enthusiasts to cooperate and provide support to the student bodies in their efforts to revitalise the sports sector.