2nd Manipur Olympic Games kicks off

Imphal,  Aug 26 (DIPR)
Governor La Ganesan kicked off 2nd Manipur Olympic Games-2022 today at Mapal Kangjeibung here. The 2nd Manipur Olympic Games-2022 would go on for 5 days till August 30. Young sports-persons representing all 16 districts are participating in the event.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh presided the opening ceremony of the games which was also attended by Power Minister Thongam Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, president, Manipur Olympic Association and MLA of Heirok AC Dr Th Radheshyam Singh, MLA of Keishamthong AC Nishikant Sapam, MLA of Wangkhei AC Th Arunkumar Singh and MLA of Moirang AC Thongam Shanti Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor La Ganesan stated that he was pleased to be a part the opening ceremony and added that the basic objective of games and sports was to develop good citizenship among boys and girls by forming their character and training them in the habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance, and promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development in the true spirit.
He expressed gratification on learning that 34 sports disciplines including indigenous sports disciplines such as Kang, Mukna, etc and about 6000 sports persons would take part in the Games.
Continuing that Manipur had already produced many Olympians and National players, he expressed confidence that the State would keep producing many more both at international and National levels in the years to come.
He further stated that youths who are highly disciplined, physically fit, men- tally alert, spiritually sound and loyal to the country are needed at this juncture, much more than at any other time in the past.
Mentioning that youths of Manipur are born sportsmen and athletes, he continued that if they are provided with infrastructural facilities, incentives and given a little more thrust to sports activities in rural areas, they will emerge as distinguished and excellent sports persons of National and international stature.
He added that the Government of India endorsed establishment of National Sports University in Mani-pur in recognition of the wonderful performance of the players.
The Governor maintained that Manipur is leading the Northeast region which is slowly inching up in the field of sports.
He continued that Mani-pur has produced 19 Olym- pians, one Padma Bhushan Awardee, five Padmashree Awardees, 19 Arjuna Awar-dees, three Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees, one Dronacharya Awardee, one Dhyanchand Awardee, 24 Asian Games medalists and 27 Commonwealth Games medalists. Manipur produced five medalists in the recent Commonwealth Games 2022.
He was confident that with the initiative taken up by the Government of India in the recent past in the field of games and sports, the future is good for all including the sports persons.
He stressed the need for the State and the corporate sector to patronize more “if we have to achieve more, as without funds there is no hope”.
Delivering his presidential speech, Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed happiness that 2nd Manipur Olympic Games was being organized after 34 years as the 1st Manipur Olympic Games was held in 1988. He appreciated the organizers of the sports meet.
He recalled the recognition given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the sports talents of Northeast people during a Chief Minister’s conference. He also gave credit to all the sports associations and stakeholders for the achievement at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
He maintained that the Manipur Government after consultation with the Manipur Olympic Association had decided to organize the Games every year and added that budget for organizing the same will be allocated separately from next year.
The Chief Minister continued that sports represent an important place in Manipur where different communities reside together, as there is no religion or caste in sports. He stressed the need to organize the State Olympic Games in festive mood together with cultural programmes from next year.
The Chief Minister announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to the players’ contingent of Ukhrul district in appreciation of the contingent’s performance in the march past. He also wished for successful conduct of the event.
During the opening ceremony, the Governor raised the flag of Manipur Olympic Association.  Wushu player Naorem Roshibina Devi took oath of all the participating districts.
Cultural programmes consisting of Thang-ta, choreographic representation named ‘Colour of Oneness’ and performance of the theme song of 2nd Manipur Olympic Games were the main highlights of today’s opening ceremony.