First ever angling competition in Sangai festival draws large participants

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 23, 2018: For the first ever a mega angling festival “Sangai International Angling Competition” was held at Kangla outer moat as a part of the ongoing 10-day Manipur Sangai festival that was inaugurated by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 21.

Four hundred anglers including two ladies took part in the angling competition.

Another tangling competition will be held at Thanga of Loktak lake in Bishnupur disctrict on November 28.

The competitions are organised by All Manipur Angling Association (AMAA) under the aegis of tourism department.

Art and culture minister L. Jayantakumar wishing the participants good luck at the inauguration said, “May such competitions help in promoting the society”.

“I wish this mega event was never seen in the past Sangai festivals and we will try to organise it in a systematic manner in future,” he added.

 AMMA president A. Shivadas Sharma said we are trying to add the flavour of angling as a part of the Sangai festival. “This angling competition is organised so that anglers enjoy angling at the Kangla moat, enjoy the festival at different venues and take back home the essence of Sangai festival”, he added.

Many from different parts of the country and abroad enquired about the competitive festival but we failed to get them in the competition as we launched our competition website late. We will try to organise it well next year, said Shivadas .

T. Basanta, who caught fish weighing 2.40 kg was rewardedRs 50,000 while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th position holders got Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. 5th to 10th position holders were rewarded Rs 5000 with a fishing rod each.

The consolations prize winners include three from Nagaland and two ladies.

The entry fee in the competition was Rs 2000 each provided lunch and breakfast packs.

The revenue we collect form this competition will be donated to the government, said general secretary of the angling association that was established in 2009.

The first three position holders in the competition to be held at Loktak Lake will be awarded Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 while those securing 4th to 6th will be awarded Rs 5000 with fishing rod each.