Tag: Sports

Members of NE Mt Everest delegation with Governor Gurbhachan Jagat at Kangla

Mail News Service
Imphal, Feb 25 : The first ever expedition of mountaineers from north east to Mt Everest was flagged off from the historic Kangla fort here today by Governor Gurbhachan Jagat.
The Governor speaking on the occasion said after the historic event on May 29, 1953 in which Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people in the world to climb Mount Everest many attempts were made to conquer it. He wished all the 16 climbers a grand success and handed over the mission flag to the team leader Dr L Surjit.
Governor said, “People of the north east are known for their stamina and willpower and the terrain they live in is generally mountainous but it is quite surprising that very few of them join the mountaineering movement. They are one of the best candidates for this discipline. One can still count on one’s fingers the number of people from the north east who have conquered the Mt. Everest, the acme of mountain climbing. No doubt, even the number of Indians who have climbed this peak is not many. One of the reasons may be the high cost involved.
I congratulate the Manipur Mountaineering &Trekking Association for taking the initiative to organize this expedition with members comprising people of the north east in their attempt to scale the highest peak. I am confident that they will achieve the goal that they are setting out for.
In recent years during the climbing season, there is a traffic jam near the peak with a very large number of climbers attempting to reach the peak. Despite such large scale attempts, it still remains as one of the most challenging human endeavours. It pits man against nature which despite tremendous scientific progress man has made, still cannot be tamed.
Nature has its own way of surprising us every now and then. The path to Mt. Everest from the base camp onwards, I am told, continues to surprise and is full of dangerous obstacles, like altitude sickness, crevasses, unpredictable weather and wind, seracs,shifting blocks of ice, etc. That is why the attempt is regarded as the ultimate challenge.
Irengbam Hemochandra, Minister said the 16 climbers from the north east are attempting to script history. He prayed to Mother nature and God Almighty to bless the mountaineers and help them while climbing Mt Everest.
Dr L Surjit President of the MMTA said, “It is the dream of every mountaineer in the world to scale the Mt. Everest in their life . The team members include seven from Manipur, two each from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram and Sikkim and one from Meghalya. There will be three women climbers including Anshu Jamsenpa, the first lady from Arunachal Pradesh, who has scaled Mt. Everest twice . N. Chinkheinganba 16 who is also part of the team from Manipur will be the youngest to scale the Mt Everest. Dr L Nelson from Manipur will take part in the team as the expedition doctor.
This mission is to funded by NEC, Shillong. According to the organizers the main objective of the Mount Everest Expedition is to share the experiences of Adventure-sports to the youths to foster amongst them a spirit of risk taking, co-operative team work and the capacity of ready and vital response and alertness to challenging situations and especially the quality of ‘Endurance’.”
Officials of NEC, north eastern states former Mt Everesters from the state also attended the function. The expedition is expected to last for about 70 days.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/first-north-east-mt-everest-expedition-flagged-off/

Mega Marathon participants waiting to start the race.

IMPHAL, Feb 17: The 7th edition of the Mega Marathon was organised today by the United People’s Front (UPF) participated by over 20,000 runners in Imphal.
The education minister M. Okendro said, besides sports ,art and culture which identifies Manipur in the world, the present govt is trying not to depend food grains and others on other states. To have a good society, a nation should be healthy. Let us unite for a peaceful society.
He was speaking as chief guest at the reception of those athletes who had completed seventh mega marathon organized by united people’s Front at Khuman Lampak today.
People from Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Karnataka and Bihar conglomerated at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Main Stadium this morning ar around 8 am for the event where Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam flagged off.
The event was sponsored by Aircel under the theme, “Run for your nation, Run the Mega Marathon.
The runners covered around 22 kilometres in the streets of Imphal.
In the men’s category, 25 years old Thounaojam Sanjit Luwang of Yairipok Bishnu Naha (Manipur), s/o Ibohal Luwang secured the first position. He is also the winner of the 2009, 2011 and 2012 editions.
He completed covered the distance today in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 49 secionds. Md Abid, 24, s/o Md Saras Ahmad secured the second position. He hails from Lilong Heinaomakhong (Manipur).
Md Abid took 1 hour, 5 minutes and 19 seconds.
The third winner is from Nagaland’s Tuensang district. His name is Pache Khiam (21) s/o Sekou. He took 1 hour, 5 minutes and 21 seconds.
In the women category, Sagolsem Premila (28), d/o S Yaima of Yairipok Kekru (Manipur) secured the first position. She took 1 hour, 24 minutes and 14 seconds to cover the distance.
Waheeda of Lilong Turel Ahanbi (Manipur) secured the second position while Meena Rasi secured the third position.
Meanwhile, in both the categories, Rs 30,000 each was given to the first position holders, Rs 20,000 each to the second position holders while Rs 15,000 each was given to the third position holders.
In addition to this, proprietor of Modern Furniture, Imphal awarded each one of the 6 position holders with Rs 5,000.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/seventh-mega-marathon-organized/

Imphal, MNS: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) teamed-up with Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Barry Larkin and Olympian Natasha Watley as U.S. sports envoys to India, reaching Manipur on February 13. ECA designed its first-ever joint baseball and softball program to encourage youth participation in sports in collaboration with Major League Baseball and USA Softball. Joseph (Joe) Logan, a former player with the Montreal Expos organization and coach of the Orlando Reds Baseball Club in the U.S. accompanied Larkin and Watley.
Sports diplomacy builds on the U.S. Department of State’s public diplomacy efforts. This particular U.S. Consulate Kolkata outreach embraces the use of baseball and softball to bring people together, foster greater understanding, and empower youth worldwide. At the press conference on February 13 and throughout the exchange, local media in Manipur was briefed on how sports can play into the development of academic, leadership, and teamwork skills.
The sports envoys’ fast-paced schedule of activities in Imphal include leading baseball clinics for coaches and youth groups and a softball coaching camp for women at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Sports Complex from February 13 to 15. Over 200 young people will participate in the various camps and a series of practice games. During the coaching camps Joe Logan, Barry Larkin and Natasha Watley will also interact with local sports administrators, players, Manipur Baseball Association, Manipur Softball Association and NGOs, including First Pitch, that promote youth sports opportunities and academic success.
On her first trip to Imphal, Dy Dir American Center, Rachel Sunden also visited the Manipur Institute of Management Studies in MU on Wednesday, where she spoke to management students on higher education opportunities in the US and strengthening Indo-US relations through cultural exchange. Ms. Sunden also met with Binalakshmi Nepram founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and the writer-activist’s associates of the disarmament movement, visiting Women Gun Survivors’ weaving sites at Malom and Leirenjam Village. Underscoring the U.S. Consulate Kolkata’s support to the global movement of One Billion Rising, Ms Sunden is also scheduled to attend the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network’s commemoration of the day by joining in the celebrations of Manipuri Women Rise to End Violence Against Women on Feb 14 at Hotel Classic.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/all-american-baseball-and-softball-coaching-camp-in-imphal/

MNS:- Governor, Gurbhachan Jagat today inaugurated 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championship, 2012-13 at the newly developed Water Sports Complex at Komlakhong. Addressing the function he said, “Canoeing and Kayaking is a fairly new sport in Manipur with the Association formed in 1995. But during the short period, it has been able to produce about 33 International paddlers besides five National coaches. This shows that the Association is active and works hard towards the development of the sport in the State. We now have two water sports complex, one at Takmu and one here. As developing and maintaining such complexes are costly, I wonder whether Manipur can sustain the two complexes. However, I hope that the facilities available are fully utilised by the Association and the paddlers.
He congratulated the State Association for their efforts in organizing this Championship and and thanked the National Federation for awarding this Championship to Manipur. He expressed good wishes to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Kh. Ratankumar Singh, Minister (Works & Transport) and his team for the initiative and the onerous responsibility of not only developing this Complex but also for acquiring new boats and paddles for this Championship.
This Championship, is being participated in by about 700 paddlers from about 20 teams and for Manipur it is no easy thing to provide accommodation to them. He said sufficient accommodations is provided so that the paddlers can concentrate on the competition. Manipur, because of its location, does not have much opportunity to conduct National level Championships, but this year this is the third discipline in which Manipur has conducted National Level Championships. He thanked all the participants for their coming to Manipur to compete. It must be realized that any team from Manipur has to travel the tiring journey for every competition held. Spreading the championships across the country provides an avenue for the sportspersons to know every part of the country, which will bring better understanding among different communities. This championship, he hoped will provide an impetus to our young paddlers and motivation to specialize in canoeing and kayaking and will also attract more youth towards this sport. As everyone is aware, the field of sports has become very competitive and every discipline has to compete with other disciplines not only for spectators but also for competitors. Some games have large followings, but other games are also growing at a fast pace. The objective is to attract more for better competition, leading even to amendments to the rules to make it more competitive and attractive.Works minister Ratankumar also made a speech at the function. He said, “My connection with Canoeing and Kayaking dates back to 2009 when the first state Canoeing and Kayaking Championship was organized.”
He said, since then, he had been the chairman of all the state championships.
“I have thrilled with this adventurous and Olympic sport. I dream of this sport to bring in this lesser known part of the famous Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake of Northeast India.”
He said driving forces behind his dreams were T Dushanta Singh, organising secretary of the 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championship, IS Bindra, former president, IKCA and BS Khushawa, secretary general, IKCA.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/national-canoe-sprint-championship/

DGAR handing over winners’ trophy of AR equestrian tournament at Imphal Polo ground on Tuesday

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 22: The 10th edition of Director General Assam Rifles Cup, State Equestrian Championship organized conjointly by IGAR (South) and Manipur Equestrian Association culminated at Imphal Polo Ground in a glittering closing ceremony today.
The chief guest Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, AVSM, SM, DGAR was accorded a warm welcome with a traditional Manipuri reception and presentation of Pot – Lanba. Maj Gen U K Gurung, YSM IGAR (South) along with Mrs Uma Gurung, Shri Buddhachandra Singh President, Manipur Horse riding and Polo Association, Dr S Joy Kumar Singh President, Manipur Equestrian Association and a host of Civil and Military dignitaries graced the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, said that the DGAR Cup State Equestrian Championship and IGAR (South) Junior Equestrian Championship is a radiant and eloquent testimony of the Assam Rifles enthusiastic zeal to encourage the strong sports culture of Manipur. “It is also an endeavour to save the rare breed of Manipuri pony from the brink of extinction”, he added. The whole ceremony was full of pomp and splendour but the cynosure of the ceremony were the traditional Manipuri Pung and Dhol Cholom and the exhibition of Sagol Kangjei (Traditional Manipuri Polo) which received accolades from the gathering on their performances.
The prize winners in Senior category were as follows, – Lance Individual N Jel Singh of Chingkheihunba Polo Club; Sword Individual K Romeo Meitei of Khurai Polo Club; Show Jumping Individual T S Ranjit of Manipur Police Sports Club; Lance Team Khurai Polo Club; In Junior category – Lance Individual Y Suresh of Chingkheihunba Polo Club; Show Jumping Camaron of Eastern Student Club; Girls category – Show Jumping for girls Th Tana Devi of Chingkheihunba Polo Club; Best March past Imphal Riding Club, Over all Trophy for the 10th DGAR Cup State Equestrian Championship and 4th IGAR (South) Junior Equestrian Championship went to Khurai Polo Club and Chingkheihunba Polo Club respectively. The competition was finally declared closed by the chief guest, which was marked by lowering of the flag and ‘Beating – the – Retreat’ by the pipe band of Assam Rifles.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/khurai-chingkheihunba-polo-clubs-win-ar-cup/

MNS:- The 10th edition of the Director General Assam Rifles Cup State Equestrian Championship and the 4th IGAR (South) Junior Equestrian Championship was kicked off in a glittering inaugural ceremony at the Polo Ground, Imphal on 19 Jan 2013. In all 12 teams containing over 100 riders in senior, junior and young girls category from 12 different esteemed clubs are participating in the championship. Brigadier M K Das, SM** Commander 9 Sector Assam Rifles who graced the inaugural function as the Chief Guest, said that it was an opportune moment to meet the riders and the sports enthusiast from different section of the society. He added that the championship is aimed at encouraging the game of Polo and Equestrian to discover hidden talents in a sport which is said to have originated from the state of Manipur. Dr. S Joy Kumar, President, Manipur Equestrian association and N Shyamananda Singh, IPS (Retd), Vice President, Manipur Olympic Association also attended the inaugural function as presidium members. The function showcased the rich and varied cultural heritage of the state with traditional receptions. The Flag hoisting ceremony was followed by a March Past of the participating teams.
The equestrian events are scheduled in a span of 04 days and include events like Tent Pegging (Team), Tent Pegging (Individual) in senior and junior categories with individual show jumping in all the three categories. The tournament has grown from strength to strength with the participants increasing every year. The Championship has now emerged as an annual mega event contested by Equestrian enthusiasts from length and breadth of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/10th-dgar-cup-state-equestrian-championship-kicks-off/

10th DGAR Cup State Equestrian Championship

MNS:- The 10th Director General Assam Rifles State Equestrian Championship and 4rd IGAR(S) Junior Equestrian Championship will be organised conjointly by Manipur Equestrian Association (MEA) and Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) from 19 to 22 Jan 2013 at Polo Ground, Imphal.
The Director General Assam Rifles Cup State Equestrian Championship is a radiant and eloquent testimony of the Assam Rifles’ enthusiastic zeal and endeavour to encourage and promote polo and equestrian in the state of Manipur. The championship aims at encouraging this popular sport as also garner budding talent in a sport which is said to have originated in ancient Manipur around 3100 BC, when it was played as “Sagol Kangjei”.
The DGAR Cup was instituted in 2003 and over the years it has turned into an annual mega event keenly contested by Equestrian enthusiasts from all across Manipur. 12 Clubs from all over Manipur with number of riders in junior, senior and girls category will be participating in the championship this year, being conducted at Manipur Polo Ground, one of the oldest polo grounds in India. The championship will be conducted over a span of four days and will include events like Tent Pegging and Show Jumping.
The championship not only aims at promoting the game but it also endeavors to preserve the rare breed of Manipuri ponies which have been associated with various forms of equestrian sports in the state since time immemorial.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/10th-dgar-cup-state-equestrian-championship-2/

Red Shield Division Crafts Football Field

MNS:- In view of the abundant potential of the people of this region, in sports, however, being obscure due to meager facilities and scanty opportunities to show case their flair for sports, particularly in the districts of Senapati and Tamenglong, the Red Shield Division, has proffered itself in crafting a ‘Football ground’ meeting international dimensions, in Senapati district. The Red Shield Division Engineers along with the Units of the Senapati Brigade, have vigorously strived in bringing this ground to fruition, despite backbreaking efforts that were compelled for, by the sheer hilly topography of the region.
Maj Gen KK Sinha, SM, GOC, Red Shield Division soon after arrival to the station gifted the very first Football Ground to the people of Turibari village. The General Officer, in his address to the people, conveyed that Manipur has immense potential that must be nurtured and put forth, both in the national and international arena, so as to bring glory to the Nation. He accentuated his view, that the youth of this region, if fittingly directed and endowed with means, have the ability to rise up to the stature of imminent sports personalities like Mary Kom and Devendro Singh who have done the nation proud against all odds. He expressed his appreciation civil administration, Socio-political organizations of the region, for their mutual amity, co-operation and maintaining peace and tranquility.
As part of the drive to build bridges between the local people with the Security Forces, Red Shield Div has undertaken various welfare projects under the Military Civic Action programme “OP SADBHAVANA”. On 09 Jan 2013, Maj Gen K K Sinha, SM, GOC Red Shield Division inaugurated the Youth Training Center at Lairouching in Senapati district. The aim providing the training centre is to offer computer education to the youth of the areafor keeping them in sync with the fast developing computer world. The project costing Rs 4.5 lacs was constructed by active assistance of locals and 5 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Senapati Brigade.
The General addressed a large gathering and conveyed that development and peace are partners in progress of any society and thus the people of Senapati must always make an endeavour to choose the path of peace and tranquillity. The General reiterated that the Red Shield Division is always committed to provide assistance and relief to the people of Manipur. He also conveyed that the time has come to forget our past differences and work together for peace and prosperity.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/red-shield-division-crafts-football-field-as-a-new-year-gift-to-the-people-of-kangpokpi/