ITANAGAR, Nov 3: The second State Olympic Games, 2017 got off to a colorful start at the Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA) at Chimpu, near here on Friday.
Impressive march-past by the participating teams, Wushu and Karate demonstration, colorful dance and song performed by the students of Donyi Polo School for Visual and Hearing Impaired and local traditional dance items by local troupes, enthralled the audience during the opening ceremony.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Vice President Birendra Prasad Baishya, who attended the opening ceremony and hoisted the games’ flag, said North East Region is now a dominant force in the country’s sports.
Citing the example of Manipur that has produced 18 Arjuna awardees so far and pugilist like Mary Kom, the IOA Vice President said, “Manipur is now a front runner in the country’s sports.”
Baishya, a former union minister said that the state of Arunachal Pradesh too has produced national and international level players with limited resources.
The state has produced at least 50 weightlifters without infrastructure and coaches, he said.
Later, he declared the Games open.
While highlighting the success story of Manipur in sports, Secretary General of Manipur Olympic Association Sunil Elangbam gave priority on developing infrastructure and appointing trained coaches as per requirement to produce player.
“To develop sports, infrastructure and coaches are must,” he said.
The MOA Secretary General said, he has seen a lot of potential in youths of the state and hoped the state will be able to produce players of international repute in the days to come.
Arunachal Olympic Association Secretary General, Abraham K Techi rued the lack of sports infrastructure and trained coaches in Arunachal Pradesh.
He, however, assured that Arunachal will one day become a power house of sports persons of the country.
AOA President Padi Richo and Manipur Olympic Association Vice President also spoke.
Day-1 Result
800M Race (Women)
1st: Anung Wangsa (2.37min), LDG, 2nd: Ritu Khamblai (2:43 min), ANJ, 3rd: Bagang Tali (2:50 min).
1500M Race (Men)
1st: Bamo Tanang (4.31 min), KK, 2nd: Karbu Kena (4.40min), PP, 3rd: Yachang Kani (4.43 min), L/Subansiri.
Shot Put (Men)
1st: Apo Bagang (10.33m), E/Siang, 2nd : Negia Manyu (10.18m), LHT, 3rd : Rate Jomoh (9.04m) EK.
Discus Throw (Women)
1st: Tana Pina (23.71m), KD, 2nd Achik Wangsu (22.55m), LDG, 3rd Yalum Piya (21.36m), U/ Subansiri).
Taekwondo (Men U-68kg)
1st: Kon Nitin, P/Pare, 2nd: Alai Wangsa, TRP, 3rd: Karan Rakhya, EK &Bengia Takap, KK.
Taekwondo (men U-54kg)
1st: Kabak Josh, P/Pare, 2nd: Dui Ado, KK, 3rd: Prakash Bora, TRP & Lakpa Gelu, U/Subansiri.
Taekwondo (Women U-62kg)
1st: Yaman Bunyi, W/ Siang, 2nd: Tadar Api, TRP, 3rd: Bengia Yanu, KK & Teri Santy, P/Pare.
