Imphal, November 05 2008: MANIPUR GOVERNOR Gurbachan Jagat on Wed-nesday expressed the hope that youths of North East particularly of Manipur would represent India when Sepak Takraw is included in the Olympic games.

The Governor said, "I'm sure that they would represent India when the discipline is included in the Olympic games".

He made the statement while opening the 19th Senior National Sepak Takraw Championship at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

Therefore it is imperative that all concerned should do everything possible to inspire, encourage and support the players of such a game which has a great prospect of being included in the Olympics in the near future to enable them to represent India and secure more Olympic medals for the country, the executive head of the state stated.

Taking advantage of the inaugural function the governor also advised the youth of the region that "they should inculcate in themselves the ideas of brotherhood, unity and integrity for a bright future of our country".

The people of Manipur possess a hidden talent in games and sports and the prerequisite quality of adjustment and temperament by birth, he said adding that it is by virtue of this rare prestigious laurels in various disciplines of games and sports in the national and international arena.

Stating that the game of Sepak Takraw is much suited to the youth of the region,the governor said that holding of the championship in Imphal has provided a very good opportunity for healthy competition and generate bonhomie, team spirit, sportsmanship, fellow feeling and oneness among the participants.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister of the state Nongthonbam Biren Singh who presided over the inaugural function also spoke on the occasion.

Altogether 18 states of the country including all the north eastern states except Arunachal Pradesh are participating in the national championship which is scheduled to continue till November 9 .

All the states which have both male and females teams would be competing in all Contd.

from page1 the three events of teams, regu and double regu.

Host Manipur has become the only Indian state which had consecutively won 17 times in the national championships.

Host Manipur on Tuesday outclassed their opponents to claim the men's and women's titles of the 2nd East Zone Sepaktakraw Championship at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.

In the men's final, the hosts defeated Mizoram 21-10, 21-18 before the women completed the double triumph with 21-6, 21-8 victory over Assam.

Comment