The good show at CWG
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 05, 2014 -

Hailed as 'the best ever' showpiece, the curtain to the 11-day 20th edition of Commonwealth Games-2014 came down along with a colourful closing ceremony at Hampden Park, Glasgow on Monday morning, bringing happiness to one and all involved for the good showing.

But for the embarrassment over the arrest of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajiv Mehta and an unattached international wrestling referee Virender Malik ( who, were, of course, freed afterward citing lack of evidences), India has every reason to smile as it achieved the target of finishing among the top five nations in the medal tally.

A 216-strong team of Indian athletes bagged in all 15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze for a total haul of 64 medals to finish fifth spot behind table-toppers England (58, 59, 57), Australia (two - 49, 42, 46), Canada (three - 32, 16, 34) and hosts Scotland (four - 19, 15, 19).

Of course, India had finished at second spot Australia in the 2010 edition of the Games held at New Delhi.

But taking into consideration of the fact that some disciplines where India clinched many medals, were either dropped or pruned down in the Glasgow Games, India did come up with a credible performance in the just concluded Commonwealth Games, whether it was in shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, Judo, badminton or hockey.

Of course, it was a bit of a letdown for the Indian athletes when it comes to boxing, table tennis and track and field. Apart from that, it was, all in all, a good show that should be appreciated.

What was even more appreciative in the outing of Indian athletes in the just concluded 20th edition of Commonwealth Games-2014 at Glasgow was the outstanding performance shown once again by the diminutive athletes from the tiny north-eastern State of Manipur.

Out of the 13 athletes namely Laishram Devendro, Laishram Sarita, Sunita Yanglem, Khadangbam Kothajit, Kangujam Chinglensana, Sushila Likmabam, Th Anuradha, Jina Chongtham, Sunibala Huidrom, Kalpana Thoudam, Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu, Saikhom Mirabai and Ramananda Konggrailatpam, who were part of the Indian squad and competed in different disciplines, eight of them came up with podium finish performances.

While women weightlifters Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu and Saikhom Mirabai gave the first gold and silver medal for India, boxers Laishram Sarita and Laishram Devendro contributed one silver medal each, Kangujam Chinglensana and Khadangbam Kothajit brought home silver medal in Hockey and women judokans Sushila Likmabam and Kalpana Thoudam fetched silver and bronze medal for India.

This is indeed a great success story for a tiny strife-torn State like Manipur and it is a proud moment for all Manipuri people.

In spite of coming from poor family background, our players have once again proved that Manipur is indeed the 'powerhouse of sports' in India and the Government of India has done nothing wrong in earmarking Rs 100 crore in the Union Budget this time for setting up of a Sports University in the State.

We just hope, there would be no dirty politics in setting up of well-deserved Sports University in Manipur.