Indigenous Wrestling championship 2022 begins at Senapati
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, November 24 2022:
First ever Manipur State Indigenous Wrestling Championship, 2022 was opened by L Susindro Meitei (Yaima), minister PHED/CAF & PD, as the chief guest and Thangjam Arun Kumar, MLA 15-Wangkhei AC and president Mukna Association as functional president at Mini Stadium Ground, Senapati.
The event is hosted by Makhrelui village.
DS Masounii, president Senapati District Wrestling Association, Manipur (SDWAM), in his welcome address urged all the players to showcase their talent and skill in sportsmanship during the game.
The event is being held as part of the state level Sangai Festival, 2022 .
Thangjam Arun Kumar, MLA 15-Wangkhei AC and president Mukna Association, in his speech stated that there are technically little difference as wrestling is played in the hills and the valley.
However, it is more, or less the same and called a very important game.
He stressed the impor tance to promote such indigenous games.
The different techniques in indigenous wrestling although not recognised internationally could be useful for Judo and wrestling as internationally recognised sports.
That is the reason how small state like Manipur could produce different sportspersons in various fields, the MLA added while encouraging organising the indigenous wrestling in such a way to attract more tourists and get people's support in future.
Speaking as the chief guest, PHED/CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei recalled that he had visited almost all parts of the district as his father had served as an engineer in Senapati district in the past.
The minister said that Senapati has turned very different as was 20 years back and expressed his love that for the district as the place is familiar to him.
He challenged the district CSOs not to wait and depend on government alone for any kind of development but to do something together for the development of the district.
Susindro mentioned that the chief minister always reminded the MLAs to serve people and that's the reason why "Go to Hills" programme was introduced.
The most important is to go the hills and meeting them personally.
People should live as one and move forward together as one, he said.
The minister also stated that funds have been sent to the hills to develop the hills and he urged all to willingly donate land wherever it could be useful to all and not to fight for land compensation.
When there are land donors, development will surely come to the place, he said, adding that such land donors could save the future generations which everyone should realise by now.
The Indigenous wrestling competition commenced with 42 competitors in below 65 kg category and 18 in above 65 kg category.
3 wrestlers from valley districts are participating at the championship.
The 4 days championship will continue till November 26 .