Source: The Sangai Express / M Romen
Guwahati, January 30:
Strong title contender Manipur began its campaign in the 22nd North East Games on a bright note grabbing seven gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals in athletics while both the women and men's teams tasted success in football competitions here today.
The State's medal hunt began with Ch Sonia claiming the women's 1500 metre race in 5:00.16 seconds before M Priya added the second yellow metal by emerging as the region's fastest women with a timing of 12.02 seconds in the 100 metre competition.
Two gold medals won in judo competition by Semion kamei (men's open) N Bina Devi (62 kg) and three in weightlifting from Kh Khogen (56 kg), M Rita (48 kg) and Kh Bidyapati (53 kg) further bulged the medal haul.
The silver medallists are Ph Nanao (1500), S Binodini (javelin), ksh Romika (5000 mtr), W Somarjit (men's 5000 mtr) in athletics; Ch Karishma (40 kg-judo), T Bobo (56 kg/WL), N Sumanbala 58 kg/WL) .
A surbala (100 mtr), W Somarjit (1500 mtr), kh Rashesori (5000 mtr), N Shanta (javelin), Y Amardeep roy (triple jump), Md Javed Akhtar
(400 mtr), Y Nabachandra 52 kg/WL), Kh Rashitombi (women's open/WL) fetched the bronze medals.
In the women's football competition played at the Guwahati SAI Complex, Manipur thrashed Arunachal Pradesh 13-0 with star striker Tababi Devi netting six of the goals.
The men's competition saw Manipur overwhelm Sikkim 3-1.Manipur women and men's teams also advanced to badminton event semi finals.
Earlier, cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the North Eastern region and march past by contingents of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and Manipur marked the inaugural ceremony held with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as the chief guest at the Bhugeswari Athletics Stadium.
The other highlight of the programme included a dazzling display by thang-ta artistes of Manipur and popular Assamese singer Sangeeta Kakoti presenting her number in dialects spoken in the region.
manipur is being represented by 239 athletes and officials.