Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 20:
Around 20,000 sportspersons and sports lovers took part in a mass rally organized by the Manipur Olympic Association, MOA, against the NSCN(IM) ceasefire extension to Manipur in the periphery of Imphal today.
The strong contingents of sportspersons, including veteran athletes, Olympians, sports association officials and sports lovers, were led by MOA president G Joykumar Sharma.
The rally, with around 70 horsemen leading the way, was flagged off at Hafta Kangjeibung in the Palace Compound at around 9:30 am this morning It passed through Minuthong, Thangmeiband, Khoyathong, Wahengbam Leikai, Keishamthong, Moirangkhom, Thumbuthong, and finally returned to the Palace Compound to converge at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre, where a meeting of the rallyists was held with MOA life president RK Madhurryajit attending as president.
During the meeting, international weightlifter L Anita Chanu Olympian L Brojeshwari (Judo), Ranjit Singh (Taekwondo) have resolved to return all medals won by them through the MOA in opposing the extension of ceasefire to Manipur.
Later, the gathered sportspersons took solemn pledge to dedicate their lives to save the motherland, to live and die for her and to carry her honour.
They also pledged to protect the territorial integrity of the state and to preserve the relationship existing between hill and valley.