State to compete in 16 disciplines in NE Games
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 12 2024:
Manipur sportspersons will compete in 16 disciplines at the 3rd North East Games to be held in Kohima, Dimapur and Chumoukedima districts of Nagaland from March 18 to 23.Addressing the media at Manipur Olympic Association office, state's chief-demission M Ratankumar said that the biggest sports event for the north-eastern states, formerly North East Olympic Games (Olympic dropped as per instruction of the Indian Olympic Association) will see 178 male players and 113 female players of Manipur accompanied by 45 officials compete in 16 disciplines with eye on retaining the overall champions' title like in the first two editions of the games.
Despite the present unrest situation, the state players have been given proper training.
The contingent leaving Imphal in batches on March 16 and 17, will vie for top honours in archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, pencak silat, sepak takraw, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, belt wrestling, free style wrestling, and wushu.
Unfortunately, the fate of the cricket team is uncertain as approval of the BCCI is still pending.
Yanglem Bony and N Ibungochoubi are the deputy chief-de-mission of the state team, he said.
Mention may be made here that Manipur participated in 11 disciplines in the first NE Olympic Games 2018 held in Imphal and emerged as overall champions with 80 gold, 48 silver and 31 bronze medals.
Ihe second edition was held in Meghalaya in which Manipur participated in 18 disciplines, and retained the overall title by winning 88 gold, 75 silver and 77 bronze medals.