Colourful start to 35th National Games
Parliamentary Secretary (Sports) M Prithviraj as Chef De Mission leads State contingent
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre

Thiruvananthapuram, January 31 2015 : Curtains rose for the 35th National Games here at Greenfield Stadium at Kariavattom here this evening with Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the 15-day mega event.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar handed over the Games torch to PT Usha and Anju Bobby George.

Over 40 artistes blew the conch heralding the official commencement of the event and 101 percussion artistes led by maestro MattannurSankaranKutty performed their show to make a thrilling of the National Games.

The inaugural ceremony started with the shower of petals from the sky by the Indian Air Force helicopters over the stadium and followed by a display of the Army band.

Union Minister took the salute at the march-past and declared the Games open.

Flag bearer Olympian archery L Bombayla and Chef of de Mission M Prithiviraj leading the Manipur contingent

Kerala Chief Minister OomenChandy and Union Minister of Sports Sarbananda Sonowal spoke on the occasion.

Indian Olympic Association President N.Ramachandra presided over the function.

In addition to Thiruvananthapuram, six other cities such as Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur will jointly host close to 10,000 athletes representing as many as 36 organizations that include 30 states, five Union Territories and the Combined Services during the Games.

There are competitions in 34 sports disciplines and Kerala, being the host will field the largest contingent of 744 athletes including 353 women.

A total of 1369 medals, including 414 gold medals are at stake and aquatics offer the most � 50 first places and followed by the athletics with 44 medals.

Thiruvananthapuram is the epicentre and 14 events namely, beach handball, kho-kho, netball, gymnastics, aquatics, shooting/pistol, tennis, cycling, wushu, handball, athletics, kabbadi, triathlon and taekwondo are scheduled to be held in the capital.

Two events- hockey and rugby will take place at Kollam; five events�tables tennis, yachting, archery, lawn bawls, badminton and fencing at Ernakulam; two events -rowing, canoeing and kayaking at Alappuzha; five events- weightlifting, shooting/trap and skeet, football (women), boxing and judo at Thrissur, beach volleyball, football (men) and volleyball at Kozhikode; and two events- wrestling and basketball at Kannur.

In the last two National Games, Services bagged the overall champions and Manipur clinched the runners-up title.

At the 33rd National Games at Guwahati in 2007; Services bagged 59 gold, 46 silver and 37 bronze; whereas Manipur bagged 51 gold, 32 silver and 40 bronze.

In the 34th National Games held at Ranchi in 2011; Services got 70 gold, 50 silver and 42 silver; whereas Manipur got 48 gold, 37 silver and 33 bronze.

March past contingent of Manipur was led by Chef De Mission Mairembam Prithviraj, Parliamentary Secretary (Sports), Manipur who was also the Treasurer of Manipur Olympic Association.

Olympian archer LaishramBombayla was the flag bearer of the State contingent during the march past period.

Manipur had a 478 strong contingent including 403 players and will take part in 20 events out of 35 events of the 35th National Games.

Dr GA Ibopishak Sharma, Dr S Shantikumar Singh, GA Sanatomba Sharma, K Jayananda Sharma and JyotinWaikhom were the Deputy Chef De Mission of the Manipur team.