Manipuris are born athletes, need Govt aid: Guv La Ganesan
Budget for Manipur Olympic Games will be al located separately from next year: CM N Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, August 26 2022: Governor La Ganesan kicked off the 2nd Manipur Olympic Games 2022 on Friday at Mapal Kangjeibung, here.

The sporting event, which will continue till August 30, is being participated young sportspersons representing all 16 districts.

Chief minister N Biren presided over the opening ceremony of the Games which was held with the support of Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) and Youth Affairs & Sports Department.

The event was also attended by power minister Thongam Biswajit, YAS minister Govindas Konthoujam, transport minister Khashim Vashum, MOA president and organising committee chairman MLA Dr Th Radheshyam Singh, vice chairman & Keishamthong MLA Nishikant Sapam, Wangkhei MLA Th Arunkumar Singh and Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh as guests of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor La Ganesan expressed satisfaction to be a part of the opening ceremony and added that the basic objective of games and sports is to develop good citizenship among boys and girls by forming their character, training them in the habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance and promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development in the true spirit.

He expressed gratification on learning that 34 sports disciplines including indigenous sports disciplines such as 'Kang', 'Mukna', etc., and about 6000 sports persons will take part in the Games.

The Governor further said that youth who are highly disciplined, physically fit, mentally alert, spiritually sound and loyal to the country are needed at this juncture, much more than at any other time in the past.

He acknowledged that in-spite of being a small state Manipur has already produced many Olympians and national players, and expressed his confidence that the state would keep producing many more both at international and national levels in the years to come.

La Ganesan maintained that Manipur is leading the Northeast region which is slowly inching up in the field of sports.

He also noted that Manipur has produced 19 Olympians, one Padma Bhushan awardee, five Padmashree awardees, 19 Arjuna awardees, three Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardees, one Dronacharya awardee, one Dhyanchand awardee, 24 Asian Games medallists and 27 Commonwealth Games medallists.

Mentioning that youth of Manipur are born sportsmen and athletes, he stressed that if they are provided with infrastructural facilities, incentives and given a little more thrust towards sports activities in rural areas, they will emerge as distinguished and excellent sports persons of national and international stature.

He added that the Government of India endorsed establishment of National Sports University in Manipur in recognition of the wonderful performance of the state's players.

He also voiced his confidence that with the initiative taken up by the Union government in the recent past in the field of games and sports, the future is good for all including the sports persons.

La Ganesan observed that chief minster N Biren being himself a sportsperson is very much keen in promoting sports in the state.

Though the state is lacking in resources and facing many other issues, the hard work put up the youth has made them the top athletes at national as well as international level, he added.

He further emphasised the need for the state and the corporate sector to patronise more, if the nation wants to achieve more, as without funds there is no hope.

Delivering his presidential speech, chief minister N Biren expressed his happiness that 2nd Manipur Olympic Games was being organised after 34 years as the 1st Manipur Olympic Games was held in 1988.He appreciated the organiser for the conduct of the sports meet with participation of a large number of sportspersons.

He also recalled the recognition given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the sporting talent of Northeast people especially Manipur during the Chief Ministers' Conference and gave credit to all the sports associations and stakeholders for the achievements of state sportspersons at the Commonwealth Games 2022.The CM mentioned that the state government after consultation with the MOA has decided to organise the Games every year, while adding that budget for organising the same will be allocated separately from next year.

The CM continued that sports have an important place in Manipur where different communities reside together, as there is no religion or caste in sports.

He also conveyed that from next year onwards the State Olympic Games will be held in more festive mood which will showcase many cultural programmes as well.

N Biren announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to the players' contingent of Ukhrul district in appreciation of the contingent's performance in the march past.

He also wished for successful conduct of the event.

During the opening ceremony, the Governor hoisted the flag of Manipur Olympic Association.

Wushu player of the state Naorem Roshibina Devi took oath on behalf of all the participating districts.

A march past by the players from 16 districts, cultural programmes consisting of Thang-ta, choreographic representation named 'Colour of Oneness' and performance of theme song of 2nd Manipur Olympic Games were main highlights of the opening ceremony.

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