Manipur CM Felicitates Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist Ch. Rishikanta Singh
The Chief Minister praised Rishikanta Singh’s achievement in the men’s 60kg weightlifting category and said the state is considering enhanced incentives for medal-winning athletes.
IMPHAL- Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday felicitated Commonwealth Games silver medallist Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, recognising the weightlifter’s achievement in the men’s 60kg category at the recently held 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Chief Minister felicitated Rishikanta Singh at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal, congratulating him for his performance and saying that the medal had brought laurels to both Manipur and the nation.
State considers enhanced incentives for sportspersons
During the felicitation, Khemchand Singh said the state government has considered enhancing incentives for medallists competing in international and national competitions.
The Chief Minister highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by many of Manipur’s successful athletes. He said a large number of sportspersons who win medals come from lower-income families and continue to pursue sporting excellence despite financial hardships.
According to the Chief Minister, perseverance and hard work remain essential for success in sport, while Manipur has a distinctive culture of supporting athletes through local clubs and community networks.
He said such community-based support for sportspersons is a strong tradition in Manipur and is not similarly prevalent in many other regions.
Rishikanta says financial limitations should not discourage athletes
Interacting with the Chief Minister, Rishikanta Singh expressed gratitude for the encouragement and guidance he had received.
Reflecting on his own silver-medal achievement, the weightlifter said sportspersons from lower-income families should not be discouraged by the perception that they cannot succeed because they cannot afford the diet required for competitive sport.
He stressed the need to dispel that perception and said he would work towards achieving greater success in the future.
His remarks highlighted an important issue facing athletes from economically weaker backgrounds: access to adequate nutrition and resources can become an additional barrier to sporting development. Rishikanta’s own achievement, however, was cited during the interaction as an example of what athletes can accomplish despite such constraints.
Ministers, MLAs and family members attend
The felicitation ceremony was attended by YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam, MLAs Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh, Th. Radheshyam, P. Brojen Singh, T. Robindro, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Janghemlung Panmei, Th. Shyamkumar Singh and Th. Raghumani Singh.
YAS Secretary N. Praveen and Rishikanta Singh’s parents were also present.
The felicitation comes as the state seeks to further encourage its sporting community and recognise athletes who have represented Manipur and India at major national and international competitions.
Rishikanta Singh’s silver medal, and the government’s stated intention to strengthen financial incentives, underline the growing focus on combining Manipur’s established community sporting culture with greater institutional support for athletes.
