New Delhi/Imphal, Oct 15 (NationPress) Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Wednesday, urged for a focused and practical approach to enhance sports within the Northeast region, suggesting unique strategies.

Highlighting that success is reliant more on soft skills like coaching and talent scouting rather than just infrastructure, Scindia advocated for dedicated coaches, grassroots talent identification, and the establishment of local leagues and academies. The Union Minister Scindia and Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla co-chaired the 2nd High-Level Task Force Meeting on the Promotion of Sports in the North-Eastern Region via video conferencing.

To fortify the sports ecosystem in the Northeastern region, topics such as infrastructure development, coaching, talent identification, exposure to competitions, events, sports science, funding, monitoring, data governance, and management through both public and private sectors were deliberated.

Governor Bhalla echoed the Minister’s vision, asserting that these initiatives would bolster sports in the Northeast by prioritizing training, talent development, and local leagues, thus providing young athletes with enhanced opportunities.

He further emphasized that each state should leverage its distinctive advantages. The Governor also commended the Central government’s ongoing efforts and dedication towards improving sports infrastructure and fostering talent in the Northeastern region.

During the virtual meeting, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, reaffirmed the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to promoting and advancing the development of sports in the Northeastern region. She stressed the government’s resolve to cultivate grassroots talent and ensure that young athletes from the region are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, training, and exposure to succeed on national and international stages.

Mizoram Sports Minister, Chief Secretaries from Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram, along with Commissioners and senior officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, and state sports departments participated in the meeting virtually.

Meanwhile, several High-Level Task Forces were established by the DoNER Ministry to pinpoint key interventions and devise actionable short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor and other critical sectors, including tourism, sports, and education.

The high-level Task Forces were formed following the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) conducted last November in Agartala, Tripura. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the chairman of the NEC, presided over the NEC plenary session.