Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2008:
Manipur men's and women's teams set off their title defense with straight set victories as the 19th Senior National Sepaktakraw Championship began at Khuman Lampak indoor Stadium today.
In team event competition, the men's team cruised past Delhi with a 21-11, 21-12 in the first regu before shutting out the opponents in the second regu at 21-12, 21-6 .
The State's women team outlasted Andhra Pradesh 21-7, 21-16; 21-8, 21-5 .
In the day's other matches, Nagaland overcame Tamil Nadu in three sets winning at 18-21, 14-21; 21-10, 21-11; 21-13, 24-22 in the men's event while the nagaland eves defeated Assam 21-13, 21-9; 10-21, 21-11, 16-14; 21-15, 21-9 .
Manipur had been the champions in all the previous editions of the national championship.
inaugurating the championship as the chief guest, Governor Gurbachan Jagat in his address recounted excellent performances of Manipur sepaktakraw players and attributed the success story to effort of the players under proper and technical support of All Manipur Sepaktakraw Association.
The Governor also punctuated his address with references to games and sports as important factor in directing the youthful energies towards nation building and complemented the Sepaktakraw Federation of India for giving an opportunity of the State association (AMSTA) to host the 19th edition of the championship.
In all 17 State are participating in the championship.
Sports Minister N Biren, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee graced the inaugural programme as functional president.