37th National Games: Manipur to send 560-strong contingent

IMPHAL —  A blessing ceremony of Manipur state contingent participating in the 37th Goa National Games 2023 was held under the aegis of the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Sunday.

During the ceremony, Chief Minister N Biren Singh handed over the MOA’s flag to the chef-de-mission Bobby Waikhom, who is also the commissioner of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Youth Affairs and Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam, legislators, director of YA&S and other officials also attended the ceremony.

Lauding the sportspersons of the state during the blessing ceremony, the chief minister mentioned that they have been bringing laurels to the state in both national and international events.

Appreciating the local clubs and other associations for putting much effort into grooming our players at the grassroots level, Singh also lauded the role of the YA&S department, Sports Authority of India and MOA for various achievements in games and sports.

Maintaining that winning or losing is not the main thing for a sportsperson, he added, “What matters is giving our best performance in the field. We can achieve our goal by giving our best performances.”

Altogether 560 persons, including 406 players (180 males and 226 females), 76 coaches, 56 team managers, 22 MOA officials and others, will be representing the state in the upcoming 37th Goa National Games 2023, which is scheduled to be held from October 25 to November 9.

The state athletes and players will participate in 26 disciplines out of 48 in the Games.

In the last 36th National Games in Gujarat, Manipur became the only state from eastern India to find a place among the country’s top 10 states in the medal tally by bagging 50 medals (20 gold,10 silver and 20 bronze).

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