National Canoe Sprint Championships commences
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 30, 2013:
The 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championships 2012-13 organised by All Manipur Canoeing an Kayaking Association under the aegis of Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association has kicked off today at Komlakhong Water Sports Complex, Mayang Imphal by Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Jagat.
Speaking on the occasion, Governer Gurbachan Jagat who graced the function as Chief Guest said that Canoeing and Kayaking is a new sports in the state and the All Manipur Canoeing and Kayaking Association was established in 1995.However, in this short period, Manipur has produced 33 international paddler and five national coaches which is an example of the active efforts of the association and the hardwork of the sportspersons.
Now Manipur has two water sports complex.
One is the Komlakhong Water Sports Complex where the championship is being held and the other is at Takmu.
While asserting that development and maintainence of the complexes are costly, he expressed his doubts if Manipur can sustain the two complexes.
He also expressed his desire that paddlers and association of the state fully utilised the two water sports complexes and the facilities they are providing.
"This Championship, I am told is being participated in by about 700 paddlers from, about 20 teams and for Manipur it is no easy thing to provide accomodation to them.
I hope that sufficient accomodation is prodided so that the paddlers can concentrate on the competition", he added.
"Manipur because of its location, does not have much opportunity to conduct National level Championships, but thi year, this is the third discipline in which Manipur has conducted National Level Championships" he said and thanked the paddlers and officials for their participation in the championships.
"It must be realised that any team from Manipur has to travel the tiring journey for every competition held.
Spreading the championships across the country provides an avenue for the sportspersons to know every part of the country, which will bring better understanding among different communities" he added.
Works and Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar who presided over the inaugural function said that it is a great privilege for the state to host the 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championships 2012-1 for the first time in North East India.
It is a dream come true for him as it was his dream to host such championships since 2009 in the Loktak Lake, the largest Fresh water lake in the whole North East India, he said.
He also thanked Former President of IKCA IS Bindra, General Secretary of IKCA BS Khushawa and Organising Secretary T Dushanta for their support in realising the dream and construction of the water sports complex at Komlakhong.
Dr Ratankumar further said that Manipur has been regarded as the Powerhouse of Sports in India.
In the latest edition of National Games held in Jharkhand Manipur became he best among the participating states by bagging 118 medals�48 gold, 37 silver and 33 bronze medals.
"Today, te tiny state is proud of having 13 Olympians, 13 Arjuna Awardees, 2 Rajiva Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees and one each of Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awardee", he added.
Parliamentary Secretary of YAS and Tourism, M Prithviraj, MLA T Mangibabu and President of All Manipur Canoeing and Kayaking Association Jyotin Waikhom also attended the function as Guests of Honour.
Results Today:
K-4 Sub Jr Girls� Manipur (Gold), MP (Silver), Assam (Bronze)
K-2 Sub Jr Girls�MP (Gold), Manipur (Silver), UP (Bronze)
C-1 Women�Kerala (Gold), MP (Silver), Manipur (Bronze)
C-4 Sub Jr Boys� Uttarkhand (Gold), MP (Silver), Kerala (Bronze)
C-2 Women�Kerala (Gold), MP (Silver), UP (Bronze)
K-2 Women�MP (Gold), Kerala (SIlver), Andaman & Nicobar (Bronze)
C-4 Men�SSCB (Gold), MP (Silver), Kerala (Bronze).
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