Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 09 2008:
Manipur's dominance in sepaktakraw remains unchallenged as both the men's and women's teams retained the title of the sepaktakraw national championship defeating their respective opponents in straight sets in the regu event finals of the 19th edition played today at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.
Manipur had also won both the titles in the team event competition earlier in the championship.
In the men's regu final Manipur outclassed Assam 21-8, 21-4 before the women's team matched their male counterparts with a convincing 21-11, 21-7 victory over Delhi.
Manipur swept all the six titles on offer in the championship after the women's team clinched the doubles regu event title defeating Assam 21-16, 21-15 with their male counterparts following suit on a 21-14, 21-13 victory over Uttar Pradesh.
With the exception of the inaugural edition of the championship at Nagpur in 1983 which was won by West bengal, Manipur has been the champion State since the second edition of the championship in 1985 .
On the otherhand, the women's title of the natio-nal championship was respectively won by West Bengal and Delhi in the first two editions in 1989 and 1991 after which Manipur had been the champions till date.
The closing ceremony was held with Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board E Dwijamani Singh and Manitron Chairman Dr Kh Ratan Singh as the chief guest and president respectively.
Sports Minister N Biren Singh, General Secretary of Sepaktakraw Federation of India M Salim Baig and the indian Federation's vice president Yoginder graced the occasion as the guests of honour.
It may be recounted that the 2nd East Zone Sepaktakraw Championship was also held at the same venue prior to the 19th Senior national Championship, with Manipur emerging as the champions in both the men's and women's regu event competition.