Queen's baton relay : State lives up to its sports power house tag
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2010: Led by a horde of distinguished sportpersons, the Queen's baton relay for the 19th New Delhi Commonwealth Games was taken out at Imphal today with enthusiastic students and onlookers cheering all along the route.

The relay was flagged off by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi from the historic Kangla Uttra.

The baton for the New Delhi edition of Commonwealth Games scheduled in October this year was brought to Tulihal Airport from Dimapur by Queen's Baton Relay team leader Col Banseen this morning.

Col Banseen and the baton was received by officials of Youth Affairs and Sports Department at the airport.

First Olympian of the State Neelkamal leading the Queen's baton relay with other sports stars

At Kangla, where a solemn was function was organised for the relay, Col Banseen handed over the baton to Chief Minister O Ibobi who passed on the baton to YAS Minister N Biren.

The baton was then put on display for sometime for public viewing in front of Kangla Uttra.

Addressing the gathering at Kangla Uttra before flagging off the relay, Col Banseen said that the Queen's baton arrived in India after travelling around 70 Commonwealth countries.

In India, Manipur was the 12th State to receive the baton, he said.

Before the Manipur leg of the relay, the baton has already travelled 1.90 lakh Kilometres across 70 countries.

Highlighting the historic significance of the relay, Chief Minister O Ibobi lauded the sports persons of Manipur.

The Chief Minister asserted that despite the small population of Manipur and economic backwardness of the State, Manipur has so far produced nine Olympians, two Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardees and nine Arjuna awardees in addition to scores of international level players.

He, however, lamented that the relay was limited to Imphal city only due to time constraints despite all efforts to take the relay to hill districts too.

Ultimately, YAS Minister N Biren passed back the baton to the Chief Minister who passed on to P Neelkamal, the first Manipuri Olympian and the history rally was flagged off.

The relay was led by 17 international players who belong to the soil of Manipur.

Among the glittering sports stars were Mister Maipak, body builder Kishan, Olympian Tiken, boxers MC Mary Kom, Nanao, Dingku and Sarita, and weightlifter Kunjarani.

These famous sports stars were not only leading the relay but also inspiring 120 odd players of different disciplines who were following them, symbolically following their footsteps.

From Kangla Uttra, the relay went to Nityaipat Chuthek, Keishampat, Keishamthong, Moirangkhom, Chingamakhong and Singjamei bridge.

From Singjamei bridge, the relay went to Kongba, Konung Mamang, Nityaipat Chuthek, Khoyathong and North AOC before terminating at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.

At Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, the runners were received with a colourful and exciting cultural programme.

There, Imphal bid adieu to the baton when it was finally handed over to the baton relay team leader.

All along the route, the relay was cheered by Ministers, MLAs, Govt officials and students.

To mark the historic relay, participants would plant tree saplings at Khonghampat tomorrow.

The baton would be taken to Aizawl on July 29 .