Imphal/Guwahati, Oct. 21: After spending over a year without imparting advanced training to sportspersons representing Assam in the 33rd National Games, the state directorate of sports has struck a deal with its Manipur counterpart for coaching players in at least four disciplines in Imphal.

The Manipur government has agreed to make available to Assam all the facilities available at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. Assam hosts the mega event in November next year.

Responding to an advertisement published by the Manipur sports and youth affairs department, Assam?s sports and youth affairs director Dhruba Hazarika requested the Manipur government to let them use the infrastructure available at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

Hazarika, also the National Games Secretariat director (operations), was in Imphal last week to sign an agreement with the officials of Manipur sports and youth affairs department.

Manipur sports commissioner S. Budhachandra said the state government has agreed to provide ?all available? infrastructure to Assam free of cost. Free lodging will also be provided to the Assam players during the programmes.

Budhachandra said the Manipur government would also provide the services of its coaches in different disciplines if necessary. The first phase of coaching of 46 cyclists is likely to begin in the last week of October. This will be followed by coaching in gymnastics. The duration of coaching for every discipline would be 45 days, he said.

The Assam government will take Manipur?s help in athletics, hockey, cycling and gymnastics for which there is no infrastructure in Assam.

?Since we don?t have the required infrastructure and equipment for the four disciplines, we approached the Manipur government. We are thankful to Manipur commissioner and secretary for sports and youth welfare B.C. Singh and director P. Singh, who agreed to help us,? Hazarika said.

Hazarika said he would sit with the four associations for discussions on the training. ?We will have to sort out the details soon so that we will be able to send the trainees to Imphal at the earliest ,? he said.