IIS signs MoU with MJA to boost technical support

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 28 : Chairman of the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS), Bellary Manisha has expressed  optimism that Manipur's judokas will receive a huge boost soon and raise their  eminence   in the International platforms in days to come.
She made the statement after the institute formally signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipur Judo Association (MJA) in a small function here at Hotel Classic Grande in the presence of Tathagata Mukherjee, CEO of IIS;  Mamuka Kizilashvili, Judo Chief Coach at IIS and Jiwan Sharma, deputy chief coach of Judo of IIS. Bijoy Koijam, president of MJA, S Indrakumar, secretary of MJA and Moirangthem Deven, DYASO Thoubal in the meantime represented MJA at the occasion.
Manisha said IIS has further ensured technical support to the State judokas from last year in addition to the previous provision of facilitating high performance training to State athletes at IIS from the 2016-17 session.
IIS has been operating through its centre linked to Mayai Lambi Sports Academy, Mayang Imphal and United Judo Association, Thoubal since last year and has been bearing salaries for five coaches. In addition to these centres, a new centre has been opened at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex to provide high class training and technical facilities to more athletes, she said.
Judokas of the State are highly talented and more world class athletes are likely to emerge from the State to dominate the game, she said.
She further maintained that IIS will now bear 50 percent of the expenses for training exposure trips of athletes receiving training at IIS centres.
Coach Mamuka Kizilashvili also spoke highly of State athletes who produced outstanding performances at Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Mamuka however expressed regret over lack of proper support from the State and the Central Governments towards the discipline.
The athletes from the State are very promising and would surely win Olympic medals in the near future, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, MJA president Bijoy Koijam expressed happiness that many State athletes will be relieved of some financial burden thanks to the MoU. Further, State judokas will receive kits, travel allowances and diets, he said.
Regular inter club tournaments and coaches education programmes are also highlights of the MoU, he said.
As per agreement reached earlier, IIS has successfully organised Sangai Cup, a tournament for North East States, last year and the same event will be hosted this year as well from November 8 to 10, he said.
The event will feature 10 teams including a team of IIS, two teams of Manipur Judo Association and other teams from North East States, he said.
The tournament will be held for 3 categories- sub-junior, junior and cadet, he said while seeking support from all sections of the society towards the initiatives of MJA and IIS.