District Olympics vital for nurturing future champions: Manipur Governor at 1st Bishnupur District Olympics closing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Bishnupur, July 12 2026: Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, today graced the closing ceremony of the 1st Bishnupur District Olympic Games 2026 at Chengei Lampak, Moirang, in Bishnupur district.

Organised by the District Administration, Bishnupur, and the Bishnupur District Olympic Association, the event aimed to nurture the true spirit of sports through the values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, and excellence.

District Olympics vital for nurturing future champions: Manipur Governor

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh; Home Minister and Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Govindas Konthoujam; MLAs Irengbam Nalini Devi, Thongam Shanti Singh, and Tongbram Robindro Singh; Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel; Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur district; senior officials; and members of the public attended the closing ceremony.

The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, the final sporting events, and a band display by a contingent of the Indian Army.

The Governor along with CM and MLAs distributed prizes and mementoes to the winners of the various sporting disciplines.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor stated that the 1 st Bishnupur District Olympic Games, 2026 had embodied the true spirit of sports by bringing together young athletes from across the district to compete in sixteen disciplines while promoting the values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and excellence.

He congratulated the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organisers for the successful conduct of the event.

He also highlighted Manipur's rich sporting legacy and acknowledged the achievements of distinguished athletes from Bishnupur, whose accomplishments continue to inspire the younger generation.

The Governor further emphasised that district-level sporting events are vital for identifying and nurturing future champions, providing young athletes with opportunities to progress to the State, National, and international levels.

He noted that Thoubal had taken the lead by organising the first district-level Olympic Games, while Bishnupur had successfully carried the initiative forward.

Expressing hope that the model would be replicated across all districts of Manipur, he said such grassroots initiatives would help ensure that no talented athlete is left undiscovered.

He also highlighted national initiatives such as Fit India, Khelo India, along with the role of the National Sports University and the North Eastern Council's High-Level Sports Task Force in strengthening the region's sporting ecosystem.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated that the District Olympic Games would strengthen the spirit of healthy competition among athletes while providing a vital platform to identify and nurture emerging talent.

He said the initiative would play a significant role in helping sportspersons from the State raise their performance to national and international standards in their respective disciplines.

Final Day Events

Kho-Kho : Kumbi Sandhong Upper Primary School (KSUPS), Kumbi beat Phoijing Junior HS, Nambol by 19 points at Kumbi Kangjeibung to seal the women's Kho-Kho title of the games.

Kumbi Kho-Kho Association (KKKA) meanwhile lifted the men's title by defeating KSUPS by 9 points in the final today.

JNV-Bishnupur finished third in the competition.

S Dinesh of KKKA was also adjudged best player of the men's competition.

Wushu : RCC, YAS-Bishnpur emerged as the overall champions of the Wushu competition with a haul of 12 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Wushu Training Academy, Nachou meanwhile finished overall runners up with 4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Boxing : Oinam AC consolidated pole position in the medal tally of Boxing competition by amassing 36 points off 6 gold, 8 silver and 2 bronze medals as Bishnupur AC finished second with 32 points off 6 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals and Nambol AC finished third with 24 points off 5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Athletics : Nambol AC athletes delivered a strong performance to amass 8 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals to top the Athletics tally as Kumbi AC picked 2 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals to secure the second place.

Football : Bishnupur AC were crowned men's football champions of the games.

Johnson took centre-stage in Bishnupur AC's title win as he scored all four goals to overcome Oinam AC by 4-3 goals today at Mini Stadium Bishnupur.

Bishnupur AC enjoyed a 3-1 advantage as Johnson completed his hattrick within 12 minutes (2', 7', 12') before S Dhanachandra pulled back a goal in the 36th minute.

Johnson scored his fourth and the final goal in the 61st minute to make it 4-1.Oinam AC fought back bravely and reduced the deficit to 3-4 through H Poirengangba (75') and N Remson (90+2') but their efforts fell short as Bishnupur AC defence stood tall to deny their comeback effort.