27th North East Games Kicks Off In Style : CM welcomes 'sports warriors'
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, April 08 2013: The 27th North East Games 2013 kickstarted with pomp and grandeur on Monday at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal.

The 3-day event was opened by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

PHED Minister I Hemochandra Singh and Parliamentary Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports M Prithiviraj Singh were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the games, Ibobi welcomed the 'sports warriors' from NE States to the land of Manipur to participate in the 27th North East Games.

He said the North East Games, earlier known as North East Sports Festival was introduced for promoting games and sports in the NE region and the first edition of the festival was held in Imphal in 1986-87 .

Sikkim contingent staging a march

The Chief Minister said the National Sports Academy established by the State Government in 2007 with the objective to produce more international players/Olympians from Manipur and North East States, has started showing results.

He also said special efforts have been made to enroll the talented children at earliest from all the NE States and added that a team is being deputed every year from the academy to visit all NE States to select and admit the children in the academy.

At present, the academy has 50 national level players in different sports disciplines including one who has won bronze medal at the Asian Judo Championship held in Taiwan, the Chief Minister said.

Ibobi further said in the last 26 editions of NE games held, Manipur became winner for 21 times, four times as runners up.

"I wish to all the participants all the very best and grand success to the North east Games 2013," the Chief Minister added.

Notably, Assam is taking part at the event with 223 players, including officials, Arunachal with 142 players, Manipur 223, Meghalaya 167, Mizoram 208, Nagaland 148, Sikkim 59 and Tripura 136 .