The State Level Sepak Takraw Championship, 2018 kick-started at IMSUC ground, Heingang Makha Leikai in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Thursday.
The three-day championship is being held under the aegis of the All Manipur Sepak Takraw Association (AMSTA) and IMSUC, Heingang in various categories including 19th Mini, 21st Sub-Junior, 21st Junior Boys & Girls, 34th Men and Women.
Manipur Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Yaiskul MLA Th Satyabrata Singh, President of AMSTA Kh Dorendra Singh and Proprietor, Heingang Micro Finance, K Dilip Singh attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and president of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Nemcha highlighted how the Sepak Takraw players and team of the State always take a leadership role in the game in the country. The players from the State have earned laurels in the national and international level. So, she urged the team to continue enhancing their skills and techniques and advised that as a sportsperson or sports enthusiast, they need to maintain their health with good dietary habits and lead a discipline lifestyle.
Time and again, Nemcha stressed the importance of education and discipline as part and parcel of sportspersons in shaping their sports career. “Without these, no sportsperson will thrives successfully in their respective games,” she added.
Lauding the organizers of the championship, she expressed that such tournament would pave way for the players to hone their skills and represent the State and the country in the near future. Nemcha also advised the players to take every game in the true sportsmanship spirit and take each game as a learning experience.
The Minister also extended heartfelt congratulations to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu of Manipur for bagging India’s first gold and also setting a Commonwealth Games record. The world champion lifted 86 kg to keep rewriting the Games records and bettered her own national record by 1 kg. Chanu smashed the Commonwealth Games record pulling off clean lifts in all her three attempts (80 kg, 84 kg and 86 kg).
“She has once again made all of us proud and reminds all that Manipur is indeed the powerhouse of sports in India,” Nemcha asserted. The opening match was played between Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC-B) and IMSUC, Heingang Makha Leikai.