Tamil Nadu state chief MK Stalin on Sunday invited athletes from the violence-hit north-eastern state Manipur to train for the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Asian Games.
The first edition of the games was held in Delhi in 2018, while the second edition was organised in Pune, and the third in Guwahati. The fourth edition was postponed due to COVID-19, and then held on June 4-13, 2022, across multiple venues, while the fifth edition was in Bhopal.
MK Stalin directed the youth welfare and sports development minister in the state government and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin to make all the arrangements for the athletes coming from Manipur.
In a statement, Stalin said that the situation in Manipur was not conducive for the sportspersons there to train for events like Khelo India and Asian Games.
“I have directed Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to make arrangements for the Manipur sportspersons in Tamil Nadu”, he added.
He further stated that the north-eastern state is known for producing “champions, especially women champions” and his state was viewing the current state of affairs there with “deep concern and anguish”.
Highlighting the Tamil culture, Stalin said that the culture in his state is to live by love and care as he said in the local language “Yaathum oorey, Yaavarum kelir”, which means “every place is mine, all people are my relatives” and this formed the basis of his directive on the Manipur sportspersons training in the state.
Reacting to the directions of the state chief, Udhayanidhi Stalin assured that “high-quality” facilities would be provided on behalf of the Sports Department.
A phone number and an email ID have been issued where athletes from Manipur can contact to avail the benefits. They will have to provide identity proof and training requirements for the same.
The southern state will be hosting the sixth edition of Khelo India Youth Games in 2024.
The invitation from Tamil Nadu came against the backdrop of violence in Manipur, which started on May 3 after clashes broke out between two tribal communities. Since then, there has been unrest in the country's north-eastern states.