Two Sumo Wrestlers engaging in a fight during the first-ever Sumo Wrestling event held in Manipur as a part of Sangai Festival 2018 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal West on November 22. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 22
In a first, a Sumo Wrestling event was held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal West on November 22 as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2018.
Scores of people gathered inside the Indoor Stadium to witness the first ever Sumo Wrestling event in the State.
Organised by Salai Holding Private Limited in association with Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, the Chief Minister N Biren Singh opened the event.
The present government is trying to rebuild the strong relationship between Japan and Manipur and the people are aware that the Japanese government wanted to maintain good relationship with the state, he said during the occasion.
"However, we couldn’t show our good hospitality to them which hesitated them to invest their money in Manipur in the past," Singh added.
The Sumo Wrestling Festival, he maintained a part of “regaining cordial ties with the Japan” and appreciated the Salai Holding Pvt. Ltd. for organising the same.
The Chief Minister also noted that the main motive of organising the festival is to bring integration among the communities living in the State through such festival.
Sumo Wrestlers at the first-ever Sumo Wrestling event held in Manipur as a part of Sangai Festival 2018 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal West on November 22. (NNN Photos)
From this season, Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival is also a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2018, he added. He stated that the Sangai Run was held at three different locations including Mao yesterday.
Singh also claimed that there has been a steep increase in foreign tourist influx in the State from around 300-400 tourists in 2014-15 to around 4000 tourists in 2017-18.
The Princess of Thailand and US Ambassador will be participating the Manipur Sangai Festival on seventh and eighth day of the festival, he informed.
The festival which kicked of on November 21 will culminate on December 1.
