Support by Inspire Institute of Sports gives fillip to judo in violence-hit North Eastern state of Manipur

Add as a preferred source on Google

Judo has become a lifeline for several youngsters in the violence-hit North Eastern state of Manipur. In the recent past, at least two judo academies sponsored by Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) in the Imphal region have witnessed a steady rise in participation.

"Revival of judo centres have been possible with technical and financial support from IIS," Indra Kumar, secretary general of Manipur Judo Association said.

IIS supports Mayelambi Judo Academy (Mayang) and United Judo Academy (Thoubal) on Imphal's outskirts. Recently the judo center in Imphal's sports complex has also come under the project, Indra Kumar added.

The IIS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Manipur state judo body in 2022. The programme was recently renewed and aims to increase the talent pool at the grassroots level and scout potential players to excel at the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles.

Manipur in the past has sporadically churned out good judo players, including Tokyo Olympian Sushila Devi, but with the support of IIS the cash-strapped state judo body has been able to give better facilities, including coaching to a large number of judo players in the Imphal region.

"There is no financial support from the Manipur government. But technical and financial support from IIS has made it possible to revive judo at the grassroots level," the MJA secretary general revealed.

To scout talent IIS Sangai Gup was introduced in 2023. The main idea behind the ISS Sangai Cup was to give competition opportunities to as many as possible in the state," Manisha Malhotra, a senior official of the IIS said. "We are facilitating coach education and workshops for the development of judo in Manipur."

A core group of judo players have also been shortlisted for the IIS programme in Vijaynagar, Karnataka. "Manipur's pre-national camps are also conducted in Vijaynagar," Indra Kumar added.

Some of the potential judo players who could make an impact at the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Olympic Games include Linthoi Chanambam, who won gold at the 2022 World Judo Cadet competition.

Wangkheimayum Oliviya Devi, Jenny Chanambam, Takhellambam Inunganbi, Ngangham Dipapati Devi, Maibam Indubala Devi, Laishram Jagadish Meitei and Konthoujam Bishal Singh are also in the core group.

Manisha Malhotra added that the biggest challenge in promoting judo in Manipur was the lack of infrastructure, which was much below the required international standard.

"The IIS has also invested towards infrastructure in Manipur to ensure young players in the region have good facilities to practice," Ms Malhotra said.

The core group of judo players are also given international exposure. As per agreement with IIS, all state judo teams, including cadet groups will be given boarding and lodging facilities during the national competitions, Indra Kumar said.

"Last year several players from the state weren't able to compete at the national level as they couldn't afford travelling expenses," the MJA secretary general added.

In future, IIS will also provide sports science backup to judo players in Manipur. "The judo players from the hilly region in the outskirts of Imphal will also reap the benefits of IIS support," Indra Kumar said.

Under the project with IIS six judo experts including three female coaches from Manipur are overseeing the training of young judo players. The coaches also get a monthly salary from IIS. "The coaching classes are conducted early in the morning so that local players can attend their school.

The evening coaching classes commence from 3.30 onwards," the Manipur state secretary general explained. "The IIS also provides sports kits to several players as some of them aren't able to afford ordinary playing kits worth Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000," Indra Kumar remarked.