CM's speech touches wrestlers from outside
Ibobi asks visiting sports teams to bear with state's lack of economic tranquility
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 05 2010: Normalcy has started returning after 68 days of economic blockade on the National Highways in the state, said Chief Minister, O Ibobi today addressing the opening ceremony of the 34th National Armwrestling Championship at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, declared open the championship organised by the Manipur Armwrestling Association under the aegis of the Indian Arm Wrestling Federation.

Arm wrestlers from 15 states including host Manipur are participating in different categories.

The states are Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Uttarkhand, Punjab and West Bengal.

Chief Minister O Ibobi greeting wrestling officials from various states during the inaugural ceremony of National Arm Wrestling Championship in Imphal; Sports Minister N Biren, Oppn MLA O Joy are also seen in jovial mood

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, O Ibobi said that people of the state have begun to feel relieved from the hardship of non-availability of goods after the end of the 68 day-long economic blockade and normalcy is being restored.

"The state is staggering back to normalcy after 68 days of economic blockade," he said adding that it is evident from the National Federation of Armwrestling giving the state an opportunity to host the 34th National Championship against the backdrop of the prevailing situation of the state.

He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the organising committee of the championship under the leadership of the state Sports Minister, N Biren, Chairman of MANITRON, Dr Kh Ratankumar, who is also the working chairman of the Armrestling Association of Manipur, who have not left any stone unturned in their endeavour to make the championship a success.

In his address, the Chief Minister also expressed concern over the participants and officials from outside the state feeling somewhat dissatisfied owing to the prevailing lack of economic tranquilly in the state due to the protracted economic blockade.

"...

the state of Manipur is passing through a crucial period of lack of economic tranquility, the arrangements for our guests from other states other than Manipur may not be satisfactory.

But as sports lovers and in the true spirit of sportspersons, I am confident that you will bear with us," Ibobi told the participants.