State to host first world Thang-Ta championship
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 05 2011:
The commendable and talented performance of Manipuri sports persons in the national and international sports area particularly in the recently concluded 34th National Games in Jharkhand,is because of having traditional martial arts Thang-Ta(sword-spear) as their foundation.
"Thang-Ta is the foundation of our players as it is in our blood", H Premkumar Singh,President of the Thang-Ta Federation of India(TTFI) said.
"So we shouldn't ignore it but promote it" .
TTFI President has been urging the state government to include Thang-Ta in the school curriculum besides introducing in inter-university sports meet.
"We are also trying our best to include the event in the Olympic games " Premkumar said.
"Centre(Union Sports Ministry) had also planned to recognize it" .
Premkumar also announced that Manipur would be hosting the first world Thang-Ta(sword-spear) championship 2011 next week.
He made the announcement during a press conference at the residence of Guru Birjit Ngangom chief advisor of TTFI here at Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak Machin.
He added Thang-Ta players from United Kingdom, Malaysia, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and host India would be participating in the first ever Thang-Ta championship.
Teams of neighbouring countries including Myanmar are also expected to participate in the championship wherein the participants will compete in five different categories-Ahanba Phunaba, Anisuba Phunaba, Thang-Leiteng Haiba, Thanglon Chatpa and Ta-ron.
"But we're facing lots of hardship due to lack of inadequate fund in organizing the championship" , Premkumar said.
"So we're seeking help from all fronts" .
The budget for organising the championship is estimated around Rs 35 lakhs with a daily estimated expenditure Rs 2 lakhs only on meals.But the Federation has a minimum organisational fund.
It could have been included in the national games easily not to speak of its recognition if Thang-Ta originates from mainland India,the supporters of the popular traditional martial arts.
Otherwise the popularity of the game will be unnoticed in the days to come.