Nagaland team during the opening ceremony of the first North East Olympic Games at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal on October 24. (DIPR Photo)
Imphal, October 24 (MExN): The first North East Olympic Games was inaugurated today by the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the main stadium Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal. The games will conclude October 28.
A total of 175 participants, including team manager and coaches from Nagaland are taking part at the games, informed a DIPR report.
There will be competition in 12 different disciplines including archery, athletes, badminton, football, judo, shooting, table tennis, weight lifting, taekwondo, karate, boxing and wushu.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that while NE India has a distinct identity with similar culture and features, it was also full of human, natural potentials and capacities which are yet to be explored.
The socio-economic and geographical realities and challenges had subdued the speed of progress and development as well as a long cherished dream of the region to create a platform to bring peace and friendship through sports, the Chief Minister noted.
He also informed that a joint meeting of the North East Olympic Association on July 24, 2017 decided to organize a NE sports meet as the first step under the name of North-East Olympic game.
Singh also noted that region has talents, huge potentials in sports and also in other aspect and fields. Numerous sports person from Manipur and other north-east have done and our country proud with various achievements in the regional, national and international levels, he added.
In this regard, the Chief Minister urged all the sportsperson that games play an important role in maintaining a healthy body and mind and called upon them to play a fair game to foster the spirit of friendship and co-operation among the players.
He declared the game open which was followed by oath taking ceremony, teams march off, band display and cultural program.
