Manipur Olympic Games resumes after 34 years

Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by SPN Editor

Governor La Ganesan kicked off 2nd Manipur Olympic Games-2022 on Friday at Mapal Kangjeibung. The 2nd Manipur Olympic Games-2022 will be held for five days till August 30. Young sportspersons representing all 16 districts are participating in the event.

Chief Minister N Biren presided over 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 of the Opening Ceremony of the Manipur Olympic Games and added that the basic objective of games and sports was to develop good citizenship among boys and girls by forming their character, 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 will take part in the Games. Continuing that Manipur had already produced many Olympians and National Players, he expressed his 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, mentally alert, spiritually sound and loyal to the country are needed at this juncture, much more than that at any other time in the past.

He stressed that if sportsmen and athletes of the State are provided with infrastructural facilities, incentives and give 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 Manipur in recognition of the wonderful performance of our players.

The Governor maintained that Manipur is leading the Northeast region which is slowly inching up in the field of sports. He continued that Manipur has produced 19 Olympians, one Padma Bhushan Awardee, five Padmashree Awardees, 19 Arjuna Awardees, three Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees, one Dronacharya Awardee, one Dhyanchand Awardee, 24 Asian Games Medalists, 27 Commonwealth Games Medalists. In the recently held Common Wealth Games 2022, Manipur produced two Medalists in Weight Lifting Category, he added.

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 on 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, CM N Biren expressed his happiness that 2nd Manipur Olympic Games was being organised after 34 years as the 1st Manipur Olympic Games was held in 1988. He appreciated the organiser for the conduct of the sports meet with participation of a large number of sportspersons. He recalled the recognition given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the sports talent 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.

N Biren tweeted, “Attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd Manipur Olympics Games’ in presence of Hon’ble Governor Shri La Ganesan Ji, Hon’ble Ministers and Hon’ble MLAs. The rich sporting culture of the people of Manipur have earned distinct recognition over the years in the field of sports.”

He maintained that the State Government after consultation with the Manipur Olympic Association had decided to organise the Games every year and added that budget for organising 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 on the need to organise the State Olympic Games in festive mood with showcases of many 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 the successful conduct of the event.

During the opening ceremony, the Governor raised the flag of Manipur Olympic Association. Wushu Player of the State 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 theme song of 2nd Manipur Olympic Games were the main highlights of today’s opening ceremony.