Need to keep players motivated for long: Khemchand

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 30: There is good potential in the game of Taekwondo in the entire Northeast, and proper guidance can produce Olympic medalists very easily, feels Manipur cabinet minister Y Khemchand Singh, a former player of this game and the founder president of the Assam Taekwondo Association.

The veteran sports organizer was in the city to attend the North East Taekwondo (boys and girls) Champion of Champions meet that concluded at the DTRP Indoor Stadium here today. Talking to The Sentinel, he said, "The game has a good future in the Northeast. Believe me, we can easily produce Olympic medalists from this region. The new generation has shown good interest in this game."

Although very enthusiastic about the local talent, the veteran sports organizer feels that the quality policy to be adopted by the State Governments should help the players to stay focused on the game for a long period.

"I have noticed that many talented athletes lost their focus towards the game at a very early part of their career due to various reasons. It ruined the talents before they bloomed fully. We must give attention to these areas so that it does not repeat again and again, otherwise, there will be no value of modern infrastructures, qualified coaches and good supporting staff," said Singh.

Asked about the remedy, Singh said, "Mainly there are two reasons for which athletes leave the game in the early part of their career. One is the study and the second one is the monetary problem. We need good policies involving schools and financial institutions."

Meanwhile, Singh, today lauded the various sports policies taken by the Central government to promote sports in the country. He is optimistic that it will bring a major change in the performance of Indian athletes in the international arena.

Talking about the old days when he was associated with the State Taekwondo, the veteran politician said, "In 1982 when we started the association the number of athletes in this game was very limited, and support from the sports fraternity was also not so attractive. But as the years progress the game has started to grow up, and it's nice to see that it has gained huge popularity not only in Assam but also in other parts of the region."

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