CM attends Singjamei Chess Tournament closing ceremony, kicks off 1st Singjamei Super League
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 13 2026: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today attended the closing ceremony of the 3rd Singjamei Constituency Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Trophy State Level Open Chess Tournament 2026, organised by the Service Recreation and Organisation of Youths (SROY) at the SROY Campus, Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Imphal.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that the present Government was formed during a period of severe crisis and that restoring peace and normalcy in the State remains one of its foremost responsibilities.

CM attends Singjamei Chess Tournament closing ceremony

He said that the task of bringing peace amid the prevailing situation was like "threading a needle through a torn cloth", requiring patience, careful efforts and gradual progress.

The Chief Minister highlighted the recent progress towards restoring road transportation between Imphal and Guwahati via Dimapur, which had become possible after more than three years of disruption, he said.

He stated that he had held discussions and negotiations with various civil society organisations and stakeholders to facilitate the reopening of the route.

"We are all Manipuris.

We have 36 communities, and we should never be apart," the Chief Minister said, stressing the need for unity and mutual understanding among all communities of the State.

He said that it was through this spirit of understanding and sustained dialogue that progress had been made towards restoring the road connection.

The resumption of road transportation, he added, was not merely a transportation-related development but also a significant step towards bringing peace and restoring normalcy in Manipur.

The programme also featured a special appreciation for Shri Laitonjam Ranabir Singh for being conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Arm-Wrestling Federation.

Th Kanto Singh, Vice-President Service Recreation and Organisation of Youths and others attended the programme.

In the 9-round tournament conducted in the Swiss Round Format, Khumukcham Sanjoy secured 8 points to finish on top as Ningombam Herojit, H Somokanta, Naoremcha Yoihenba and S Premjit all secured 7 points to make 2-5 finishes.

RK Bhogen (6.5 pts), Konjengbam Poireikhomba (6.5 pts), Takhelchangbam Chandrasekhar (6.5 pts), Oinam Ningthem (6 pts) and Khagembam Premchandra (6 pts) followed them in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th places.

Dayanand Thoudam (6.5 pts), Mangal Elangbam (6 pts) and Prichard Elangbam (6 pts) were top three finishers in the U15 category competition as Uhenbi Ningthemcha (4.5 pts), Nongthombam Jojo (4 pts) and Thoithoi Yensembam (4 pts) made top three finishes in the U15 girls' segment.

Bit Irom (5.5 pts), Maibam Dorendro (5.5 pts) and Soibam Motilal (5.5 pts) meanwhile emerged top three veteram players.

As many as 80 players including 36 FIDE rated players participated in the 3-day tournament.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister attended the 1st Singjamei Super League at Pishum Ground, organised by the Chingamathak Young Learners Club (CYLC), Imphal.

The event featured a series of cultural programmes, following which the Chief Minister officially kicked off the tournament.

In the inaugural match, CYLC defeated CLSWO (Chongtham Leikai Social Welfare Organisation) 5-1, emerging victorious in the opening match of the league.

A Johnson scored a treble (5', 35', 42') and Diamond Namaram (27', 34') scored twice in CYLC's comprehensive win as Mandela scored the face saving goal for CLSWO in the 65th minute.

Minister (Art & Culture/ Tourism) Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLA Keirao AC Rameshwar Meitei, MLA Sekmai AC Heikham Dingo, other officials, players, family members and a large number of spectators were present at the event.

As many as 13 teams clubbed into two groups are participating in the tournament.