Host Manipur is overall Team Champion at North East Regional Sports Week

Imphal: The six-day long North East Regional Sports Week concluded on Tuesday at Main Stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal. The closing function was graced by Manipur Governor La Ganesan as the chief guest.

The Sports Week was held in connection with the celebration of the 75 years of Indian Independence, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. The Regional Sports Week was organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, Government of Manipur, with the funding of the North Eastern Council (NEC).

The Sports Week from April 28 to May 3, 2022, has witnessed players and athletes from seven northeast states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and the host state Manipur competing in select disciplines of archery, badminton, boxing, football and table-tennis.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor La Ganesan expressed his appreciation of the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports for successfully conducting the North East Regional Sports Week. 

He said a consistent practice of a person can achieve anything, but continuous practice is a must,” opportunity will come to get medal in sports”. He encouraged the sportspersons to have discipline to become a great sportsperson.  

The Sports Week celebrates the sporting spirit across all the northeastern states and would also showcase the sportsmanship of our talented players, the Governor added.

In the Sports Week, Manipur won the overall Team Champion title, while Assam bagged the first runner-up and Nagaland bagged the second runner-up title.

Manipur got a total of 49 medals with 32 Gold, 11 Silver and seven Bronze. Assam got a total of 43 medals with nine Gold, 12 Silver and 21 Bronze. Nagaland’s total medal tally is 20, which includes four Gold medals, four Silver and 12 Bronze.

Arunachal Pradesh got a total of 27 medals with three Gold, 12 Silver and 12 Bronze. And Mizoram won 15 medals which includes one Gold medal, eight Silver and six Bronze. Sikkim got a total of 10 medals with one Gold, one Silver and eight Bronze and Tripura won one Silver and two Bronze medals.

Chief minister N Biren Singh, who presided over the closing ceremony, extended his gratitude to the Governor for visiting of hills and valley areas of the state and addressing the concerns of the people.  

“With the celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence in different parts of the northeast states, the whole of the North East has become united under one roof. India has now become more advanced and a powerful nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And we all should live and die for a united India,” CM Biren Singh said.

Addressing the gathering, Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister Govindas Konthoujam said it was moment of pride for having such sports event in which the people of Manipur witnessed joy, happiness and disappointment. He said the North East Regional Sports Week is a testimony of our capability to move mountain in the field of sports. 

Minister Konthoujam also thanked the players and officials who had participated in the select disciplines of archery, badminton, boxing, football and table-tennis for showing their talent and spirit. He thanked all the participants and players from the seven northeast states who participated in the six-day event.

Union Minister of State Ajay Kumar Mishra, who attended the function as Guest of Honour, also addressed the closing event.

Commissioner, YAS, Bobby Waikhom; Director, YAS, T Phullen Meitei, officials of YAS Department, sportspersons, coaches and other officials attended the closing ceremony.

Also Read | It’s a fake; haven’t issued any poster of Shirui Lily Festival: Manipur govt