While Manipur is still awaiting a peaceful resolution of the ethnic disputes, the Tamil Nadu government has brought in athletes from the northeastern state for training sessions.
Fifteen fencing athletes from Manipur have been helicoptered to Chennai so they can continue training for the upcoming national matches.
More than three months after the outbreak of violence in the northeastern state, ethnic conflict in Manipur is still simmering. As the violence continued unabated, normal life was disrupted. The state, home to some of India's top athletes, is also finding it difficult to resume sports training due to a crisis of law and order. It was against this backdrop that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, on July 23 invited athletes from Manipur to train in the southern state ahead of the Khelo Indian Games organized by the state.
In inviting the athletes, the Prime Minister invoked the Tamil philosophy: "For us, the world is one, all human beings are our parents!"
Following this announcement by the Tamil Nadu government, 15 fencing athletes - 10 men and 5 women - along with two coaches were helicoptered to Chennai on 13 August.
In addition to providing them with the necessary facilities for training, all expenses include meals, airfare, and more. are all paid for by the Tamil Nadu government.
On Friday, Tamil Sports Minister Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, where athletes practice to test facilities and also interact with players.
Speaking to India Today, Udhayanidhi Stalin said:
“We all know the situation in Manipur. CM invited the athletes to come to Tamil Nadu so they could continue training. The Manipur fencing team approached us. Based on CM's instructions, I came to see if the arrangement was correct. They are satisfied with the facilities. That benefits the Manipur and Tamil Nadu fencing teams as they learn from each other.
Similarly, fencing athletes and their coaches speaking to India Today also expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government. “I am very pleased with the arrangement. It's a big room for practice. We haven't been able to practice for the past three months because our academy is closed. Unexpectedly, we heard this announcement from the Tamil Nadu government. The coaches here give us a lot of advice,” said a fencing athlete who just won a bronze medal. Likewise, Nandini, one of the coaches accompanying the players, told India Today that they are grateful to the Tamil Nadu government for understanding their plight and offering to help.
“Everybody faces problems in Manipur. The situation there is not good even now. It is very difficult to train. Players come from different neighborhoods. Everyone must gather at the hospital. But it has become difficult. How to train when students can't come to the academy? she asked.
Nandini added, "Our only appeal to the government is to hold talks and bring peace to Manipur as soon as possible."
