Manipur champions North East Olympic Games

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, October 28, 2018: Manipur has championed the 1^st North East Olympic Games bagging 80 gold, 48 silver and 31 bronze medals. Assam stood second position snatching 46 gold, 53 silver and 41 bronze medals and Arunachal Pradesh stood third position securing bagging 18 gold, 20 silver and 38 bronze medals.

Athletes from eight states of the North East participated in the games organised at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal and competed in 12 disciplines in the five days games which started on October 24.

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh who is also the chairman of the organising committee and president of Manipur Olympic Association, revenue minister Karam Shyam distributed trophies to the winning teams of the games.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony held at Indoor Stadium at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, the minister said, the first ever North East Olympic Games held at Imphal will definitely help to build up friendship and maintain cordial relationship among the north eastern states. He said, we have a unique history of commonness in terms of culture, tradition, food habits and way of life and that is why states are called as sisters. He further said there is the need to work together in taking up any measure in developmental, financial and sports.

To a certain extent Manipur may be the power house of sports but other states in the North East are also coming up in the field. Therefore, sporting disciplines that our players can hone their talents and skills successfully should be identified so that they can be groomed upto the international level, said the minister. He appealed the coaches and managers in the region to train the young players in the suitable sporting disciplines so that they can compete and bring laurels even in the international arena.

Radheshyam said, the 1^st North East Olympic Games is a historic event in the sport history of the region. It will be perfect ground for the promising sports persons in the region. To maintain the legacy of competitiveness among the north eastern states, Olympic Associations across the region should be united and work together to fulfill the aspirations of the sportspersons in the region.

Shyam said such games will help to unite people in the north eastern region. Unity through sports can be achieved if the Games continue in the years to come.

The second edition of North East Olympic Games will be held in Arunachal Pradesh next year.