Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal:
Addressing a press meet at the Manipur Olympic Bhavan, Moirangthem Ratan Singh Chef-de-Mission said that Manipur is sending a strong contingent of 319 players and officials. Yanglem Bony Singh and N Ibungochoubi will be Deputy Chefs-de-Mission and Angom Johnson and Th Jayanta Singh would be Media Coordinators.
While Athletics will be held in IG Stadium, Kohima, the remaining disciplines will be held in NAPTC Niathu Resort in Chumoukedima, Tetso College, Archery Comlex, Futsal B, Multiple purpose Hall, Shooting Complex of Sovima and Kuda Village.
The players will be competing in fifteen disciplines namely Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Pencak Silat, Sepak Takraw, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Belt Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling and Wushu.
“Players comprise 163 males and 113 females while there are 38 males and 5 females as Coaches and Managers. The final decision of the host to drop Cricket is because of the BCCI’s decision.”
From the 3rd edition of the Games, it would be renamed ‘North East Games’ while the organization’s name would be renamed as ‘North East Sports Association’, which was earlier called North East Olympic Games and North East Olympic Association, Ratan said.
Deputy Chef-de-Mission N Ibungochoubi said that the players, coaches and managers will travel in a phased manner on March 16 and 17. The Manipur Olympic Association will also depute members as Observers of the Games. “We have received communication from the host state Nagaland that arrangements are being done to provide sporting atmosphere for the young players from all the North East states.
