"Manipur will emerge champion in Eastern India Weightlifting C'ships"
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 31 2012:
Manipur is all set to host the 76th Men's and 20th Women's Eastern India Weightlifting Championships 2012 from November 2 to 4 at SAG Hall, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal.
Manipur Weightlifting Association will be organising the championships under the aegis of Indian Weightlifting Federation.
Addressing mediapersons in a press conference held at Hotel Imphal, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee said that more than 150 weightlifters from eight states of the Eastern India will be competing in the championships.
The Minister said that Manipur and its people find it easy to adapt to weightlifting and it has been a favourite sporting event for the people of the state to excel in the world.
Manipur has so far produced many Olympians in the field and has many such players who have won many prestigious awards in weightlifting.
Keeping in view of the status of state lifters and the favourable condition and anatomy of the people of the state, it is obvious that Manipur will win the champion's title in both men's and women's category, he said.
Lifters of the state have so far won 43 international medals and have been playing a great role in bringing medals for the country, he said and appealed to the people of the state to cooperate the Organising Committee in organising the championships successfully.
General Secretary of Manipur Weightlifting Association, Sunil Arambam who also attended the press conference told that lifters from Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Tripura will be participating in the championships.
Seven women and eight men lifters of the state are undergoing rigorous training now and there are high chances for both the state teams of winning the championships.
He further informed that international referees from other states will assist in conducting the championships.
Besides, doctors and staff of National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) will also be conducting random test during the championships.
All the seven women lifters are young and energetic lifters and they have high chances to outshine lifters of other states.
However, more experienced lifters of the state will not be participating in the championships since most of them are participating in National Camps outside the state preparing themselves for the Asian Championships which will be held in Yangon, Myanmar November 8 to 13, Sunil said and further added that the association is also planning to host the Senior National Weightlifting
Championships in 2014 .
Parliamentary Secretary of YAS & Tourism, L Prithviraj, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee said that the state government is planning to take up various programmes to develop Weightlifting, Boxing, Judo, Fencing, Canoeing Kayaking, Sepak Takraw and Archery to which, players of the state are more adaptable.
The State squad for the championships are:
Men's Team:
L Ajit, L Paikhomba, A Arjun, T Dipak, Kh Jojo, L Ibotomba, M Romanta & A Thoungamba.
Women's Team:
P Ganga, Y Silheinganbi, Kh Rina, Th Nishila, K Bela, Sh Sonalia & Y Leirentombi.
Officials:
T Bobo (Coach), S Shyamacharan (Manager) .