Imphal, August 10 2010: As the British had colonized the world, now Manipur has colonized India in sports said Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) president and MLA Bijoy Koijam while speaking as chief guest in the opening ceremony of 6th Governor's Cup State Level Fencing Championship 2010 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium today.

The 6th Governor's Cup State Level Fencing Championship 2010 inaugurated at the Indoor Stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is being organized by Manipur Fencing Association.

President, MOA, and MLA Bijoy Koijam, who was the chief guest of the function, declared that Manipur is far ahead in the field of sports among different states of India and claimed that Manipur is the largest sports persons producing state and many bigger states of the country could not match Manipur in sports, bigger states are finding hard to trail Manipur in sports he added.

While speaking as chief guest of the function he announced that construction of Manipur Olympic Bhavan is almost complete and it would be inaugurated in the month of September or October this year and its facilities will be dedicated to the sports persons of the State.

Clarifying on non participation by Manipur Olympic Association in the recently held Queen's Baton Rally in Manipur, MOA President, Bijoy Koijam said that it was organized entirely by sports department alone, he stated that in other states Queen Baton Rally was organized by the respective State Olympic Association, however the protocol was not followed in Manipur he lamented.

He went on to add that in the neighboring states of Nagaland and Assam as their Chief Ministers are the presidents of their State Olympic Associations, the Queen Baton Rallies were arranged by the respective governments, a fact which was lost to the Manipur Government.

He asserted that the Queen's Baton Rally in Manipur was to have been organized by the Manipur Olympic Association.

Commenting on the reports of financial irregularities in the sports department disclosed recently he charged that the irregularities were was due to the incompetence of the director of the department, and mentioned that the director cannot escape responsibility of the irregularities.

He disagreed to accept the statement of ignorance made by the director on the irregularities which recently rocked in the department.

He also mentioned that for the current financial year MOA has received grant in aid of rupees 25 lakhs.

Taking advantage of the function MOA president MLA Bijoy Koijam called upon the coaches and sports persons of the state to work in a cordial environment so as to bring more fame for the state and country.

He also mentioned that the reports of a tussle between sportspersons and coaches as being unhealthy.

The functioned was also participated by Manipur Fencing Association, President, Th Joykumar and Chief Engineer PWD , M Lokendro, as president and guest of honour of the function which was held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium today.

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