Imphal East emerge champions of 2nd Governor's Trophy Mukna Kangjei tournament
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, March 29 2019:
Mukna Kangjei requires a lot of stamina, knowledge, physical strength and intense practise: Dr Najma Heptulla .
Imphal East defeated the Thoubal Mukna Kangjei Team by 9-3 goals in today's concluding match of the 2nd Governor's Trophy, 2019 (State Level Mukna Kangjei Tournament), organised by Kreeda Bharati, Manipur at Imphal Polo Ground, Imphal.
The winners and runners up teams were feted with cash prize of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively with trophies.
In her speech as chief guest of the closing ceremony, Governor, Dr Najma A Heptulla expressed that Mukna Kangjei is indeed a very interesting indigenous game of the State.
It is akin to modern day hockey mixed with wrestling and Manipuris have been playing it from time immemorial.
The sport requires a lot of stamina, knowledge, physical strength and intense practice as well, she said while adding that the tiny State of Manipur in the North Eastern corner of India had a glorious past in the field of sports and martial arts.
It is no wonder that the inborn creativity and the spirit of competitiveness powered by the martial characteristic of the people of Manipur manifest in this popular game of Mukna Kangjei.
It is the ultimate test of brain and brawn of the players against each other with agility making the difference.
At present, Manipur is widely known as the power house of sports of the country.
The State has proved time and again its mettle in sports and games at National as well as International levels.
Notable sporting events in which State boys and girls have excelled are hockey, swimming, archery, football, cycling and martial arts.
Players from Manipur are now very popular in the sporting world and wherever and whatever they play, they have left their foot prints.
Certainly, the boys and girls of the State have the ability and will power to reach more lofty heights.
Many of the indigenous games have grown as a part of our culture and tradition, she said.
Many of them again have carried forward religious connotations down the ages and an integral part of our life.
We should preserve this rich legacy which is representative of our identity and our unique place in history, she continued while urging all concerned to provide necessary infrastructure and facilities for all round development of sports in the State.
Vice president, Kreeda Bharati, Manipur, B Bimola Devi and president Seva Bharati Manipur A Brajakumar Sharma also attended the closing ceremony as president and guest of honour respectively.
It may be mentioned that Governor's Trophy (State Level Mukna Kangjei Tournament) was born in the State in the year 2017 under the sponsorship of the present Governor of Manipur, Dr Najma A Heptulla with a great hope to revive the indigenous game of the State.
Five Kreeda Bharati teams (Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching) participated in the Tournament which began on March 27 .
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