Imphal, Feb. 25: Altogether 658 sportspersons were given cash prizes on the occasion of ‘Shannaroishing Gee Numit’ organised by the youth affairs and sports department at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium today.

The highest money-earner was cyclist Ch. Rameshwori Devi with Rs 84,000, whereas the lowest amount of Rs 500 was bagged by a number of players. The incentive given to the players was for their performance in the year 2002.

In stark contrast to arlier occasions, chief minister O. Ibobi Singh did not attend the function today because of hectic engagements with the ongoing state budget session in the Assembly. But he did send a congratulatory note for the players.

Youth affairs and sports minister N. Biren Singh said only 658 players were chosen on the basis of their prior performances.

A decision on providing incentives and job offers to sportspersons will be made after the law department gives its formal concurrence and the state cabinet approves it.

He said the state government would be exploring the possibility of declaring Shannaroishing Gee Numit a holiday from next year so that everyone can attend the occasion.

Biren said the Rs 20-crore scheme for building a sports complex at Jiribam in Imphal East district has already being sanctioned by the state government.

Children’s sport

Angels Place, Churachandpur, bagged the overall team title in the 2nd Inter-Children’s Home Sports Meet 2008 grabbing a cash prize of Rs 2,000 on Sunday.

The one-day meet was organised by Lions Club of Imphal Greater at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Six children from the destitute homes participated in the events of track and field. The events comprised of 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, high jump, long jump and shot put. Boys and girls of various age groups participated in the event.

Kanglatombi Children’s Home was awarded the runners-up title with a cash prize of Rs 1,000. The other teams which participated in the events, received an amount of Rs 500 as consolation.

In kabaddi, Angles Place secured first position while Kanglatombi Children’s Home was declared the runners-up. In the tug-of-war event, Kanglatombi Home was declared the winner while Children’s Home Tera Keithel bagged the runners-up title.