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Our Correspondent
Imphal, June 17 (EMN): Manipur Hockey is planning to set up a hockey academy besides taking up various steps for the promotion of hockey in the state, which has produced the maximum number of Olympians.
Newly elected president of Manipur Hockey, Khoirom Loyalakpa made an announcement regarding this during his maiden press conference in Imphal on Friday.
Olympian Ksh Thoiba Singh, who scored for Indian team in Seoul Olympics 1988 and newly elected functionaries of Manipur Hockey including its general secretary L Basanta Sharma were also present.
Loyalakpa also informed that Manipur Hockey will be observing Olympic Day celebrations by holding an Olympic Day run with active participation from more than 1000 players, athletes, promoters, sports lovers and veteran players on June 23.
A hockey exhibition match between two Olympian teams -- Chinglensana 11 and Kothajit 11 -- will also be played at the Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium to encourage the young and budding players of the state as part of the observation.
Since 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, sports crazed Manipur has so far produced 19 Olympians including seven from hockey, four each from boxing and weightlifting, three from judo and one from archery.
The Manipur government is constructing an Olympian Park at Sangaithel area in the outskirts of Imphal in order to give recognition to Olympians and also to inspire state sports persons to become Olympians in future.