Governor advises judo practitioners to safegaurd the sanctity of the sports discipline

Imphal, October 16, 2019 (DIPR):  Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla opened the National Sub-Junior and Cadets’ Judo Championships, 2019 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal, today. The championship is organized by Manipur Judo Association under the aegis of Judo Federation of India and will continue till October 19, 2019.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla said that Manipur is widely known as the “Power House” of sports in the country and has produced a number of National and International sportspersons in various disciplines including the sport discipline of “Judo”. She complimented the organizers for combining two national championships under one roof and making it a mega event.

Stating that the All Manipur Judo and Karate Association was formed in 1978 and the Manipur Judo Association became a separate entity in the year, 1983 to boost the morale of the Judo players, she said organization of such National Level Championships on regular basis is imperative. She applauded the Manipur Judo Association for producing several Judo players of International and Olympic standards.

Governor congratulated Manipur Judo Association for organizing the Championship for the third time after successfully hosting two National Championships in Manipur in 2008 and 2013, with more than one thousand players from 30 States and Union Territories taking part in the Championships.

Highlighting the origin of Judo, she said that Judo became one of the most popular martial arts around the globe after spreading from its Japanese origin which was developed in 1882 by the Japanese educator, Jigoro Kano. In India, Rabindranath Tagore introduced judo in the year 1929 at Shantiniketan. We owe our gratitude to Rabindranath Tagore for his vision in the field of sports, she added.

Governor further added that Judo Federation of India was established in 1964 after Independence and Bombay Judo Club was the first Judo Club in India. Now, this sports discipline has taken root far and wide in the country and our boys and girls are excelling at different levels of competition.

Governor stated that Judo can be practiced by all ages and it is a relatively safe sport as it does not involve any kicking or striking techniques. It is an excellent activity to increase physical fitness, boosting key leg and arm muscles, improving agility and flexibility, and developing the body’s cardiovascular system. Judo is open and accessible to participants with a wide variety of disabilities. Because of the close contact involved in Judo, it is the ideal sport for the blind or visually impaired.

She said that Manipur originally has a rich heritage of martial arts traditions such as Thang-ta of its various ethnic communities, which constitute a significant component of the culture of the people.  In other words, Manipuri martial arts have been a characteristic attribute of the history and civilization of the State. Judo has become very popular in the modern Manipuri Society, she added.

Governor stated that Judo demands very high moral character and discipline from all who are practicing them. This should always be kept in the mind that the knowledge of Judo is dangerous if the high moral character and discipline are not maintained by its practitioners. In the past emphasis was given not only to the development of strength and skill but also to self-discipline and personal character of the practitioners of traditional sports as Mukna. Respect for the opponents and human values were treated as equally important by the Gurus. She expressed that this aspect will be given due importance by the Judo players.

The organization of these National Championships will certainly help in studying in detail its philosophy and also in finding out a way ahead for further development of this martial art, Governor added.  She also added that the efforts made by the All Manipur Judo Association in this regard deserve encouragement and support and that the Championships will help in popularizing and promoting Judo in the State as well as the country.

President of Manipur Judo Association, Dr. Kh. Ratankumar Singh, expressed gratitude to the Judo Federation of India for giving the opportunity to host the National Sub-junior and Cadets’ Judo Championship 2019 for the first time. He congratulated the Indian Judo players who won 32 medals in the recently concluded Commonwealth Judo Championship 2019 in Birmingham, UK. The Government of Manipur has extended all possible support to make the championship a grand success, he said.

Education Minister Shri Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, Vice-Chairman, Organizing Committee, Shri N. Ibochou Singh, Managing Director, Bharatia Infra Projects Ltd., Imphal Branch, Shri Th. Arunkumar Singh, Proprietor Arun Enterprises were on the dais as the presidium members of the opening function.

As part of the ongoing National Championship, Governor hand over prizes to the medal winners hailing from different States of the Country. Altogether 869 players, 456 boys and 413 girls, along with 126 officials from 30 States are taking part in the National Championship.