Governor inaugurates Jr Natl Badminton Championships
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 14 2012:
The inaugural function of the 37th Junior National Badminton Championships organised by Manipur Badminton Association (MBA) was held today at the Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak Imphal with Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Singh Jagat as Chief Guest.
Parliamentary Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports & Tourism, M Prithviraj, Pesident of Manipur Olympic Association (MOA), Bijoy Koijam and officials of Badminton Association of India & Manipur Badminton Association also attended the inaugural function.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Gurbachan Singh Jagat said that Manipur, though small in size and population, has been doing very well in the field of games and sports since the 70s.Even though Manipur had produced many international players in almost every discipline, Badminton is one area where the state has not been able to do well even in the National circuit.
The physique, agility and reflex of the Manipuris are ideally suited for this game but somehow very few could excel.
The Manipur Badminton Association needs to introspect and come up with a strategy to beat this jinx, he said and added that let the championships which is being held after a very long gap be the harbinger of change for better things to come.
He further said that Manipur has a long tradition of sports, be it Mangjong (Broad Jump), Lamjel (Race), Sagol Kangjei (Polo), Mukna (Manipuri Wrestling), Khong Kangjei (Manipuri Hockey) etc.
They are a martial race and as they have tension along almost all the borders, and without a regular army, the people had to be skilled in martial arts including swordsmanship to combat the belligerent neighbours, thereby leading to all the males to be in top physical condition.
The history of Manipur is a narrative of conflicts with its neighbours.
These people quickly adapt to the modern game and sports, thereby excelling in many disciplines, the Governor said.
With 457 players and officials from 33 different teams competing, the championship is the largest ever Badminton National Championships in India.
In today's event, Aimson Oinam of Manipur failed to enter the Round of 64 in Boys U-17 category after losing to Rohan kapoor of Delhi.
While, Unilkumar Leishangthem of Manipur beat Shubham Prajapati of Madhya Pradesh and entered Round of 64 .
In Round of 64, RK Devjit of Manipur lost to Rahul Yadav of Andhra Pradesh.
In another match, Yaitomba Irengbam also failed to enter Round of 32 after losing to Siril Varma of Andra Pradesh.
Another Manipur player Samir Hussain also lost to Divum Gupta.
In Girls U-17 category, Purnima of Manipur got walk over in Round of 64 as her opponent Yajum Laa of Arunachal Pradesh failed to play the match.
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