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Colourful beginning
It is a dream comes to true as the 33rd edition of the National Games got
off to a spectacular start at the newly-built Indira Gandhi Stadium at
Sarusajai. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi formally inaugurated the mega event.
The dazzling ceremony ran smoothly before a huge crowd.
On the occasion Sonia Gandhi said she had a privilege witnessing the
beautiful cultural festivals of the North-East. “It was not easy to host the
National Games here but inspite of the difficulties the Chief Minister and
the sports organisations have made it possible,” she said. She also wished
that the Games might see many new talents emerging from this region.
From the moment that police and military brass bands started their parade
and school children ran on to the area with rhythmic dances, everyone got
the feeling that they never witnessed such scenes before.
Indian Air Force copters showered petals and the paratroopers – Akash Ganga
group from Agra landed from the sky with bouquet for the chief guest. A
group of leading singers of the State performed the Dr Bhupen Hazarika
number Ei Prithivi Ek Krirangan. It was the welcome song of the programme.
Popular singer Manash Robin and his group entertained the spectators with
the mascot welcome song Rongmon Oi Rongai De Oi.
The inaugural function also witnessed various cultural items like Usha
Kirtan, Bhaona, Bihu etc which were enough to reflect the rich cultural
heritage of Asom. The historical background of the State was also elaborated
during the function. When it was the turn of athletes, all the 33 Indian
Olympic Association (IOA) affiliated units paraded into the area led by
Andaman and Nicobar Island team and they were greeted by the cheering crowd
in the stadium.
The biggest ever cheer was reserved for the last contingent to enter, the
hosts Assam. The 908-member squad entered and paraded the perimeter to
complete this programme. After completing the march past, Chief Minister
Tarun Gogoi welcomed the guests, athletes and the crowd. Speaking on the
occasion the IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said that “The State has been able
to organise the event in a grand manner despite having various hurdles in
front of the State Government. In future, Asom will be allotted many
international events including the SAF Games.”
When the time for the last act of the torch relay into the stadium and up to
light Games cauldron came, four special torch bearing State sportspersons-Taibun
Nisha, Monalisha Baruah, Dipankar Bhattacharjee and Bhogeswar Baruah carried
the flame around the 800m track past the athletes assembled in the centre.
Finally Bhogeswar Baruah, the first Arjuna Award winning athlete of the
State, stepped up to reach the cauldron and lit the Games Flame.
The opening ceremony concluded with a cultural function where artistes like
Zubeen Garg, Sangeeta Kakati and Sukhwinder Singh among others, enthralled
the gathering
Manipur dominates Games
Manipur is dominating the 33rd National Games with a total number of 63
medals. On the fourth day of the rigourous and prestigious 10-day mega event
Manipur captured as many as 15 gold medals.
Delhi is following Manipur with 38 medals that included 14 gold medals.
Hosts Assam is placed in the fourth spot while Haryana took the third spot
with 31 medals including 12 gold with a total number of 58 medals.
Apart from Manipur and Assam, Nagaland is the only North-Eastern State to
win gold medal. The six-member Nagaland team, which is participating for the
first time in a National Games, won one gold and five bronze medals. Psilas
won the gold for Nagaland in taekwondo (middle weight).
However, the swimming pool is being dominated by the Karnataka swimmers with
22 medals, including nine golds. On the other hand the track and field
events are being domoinated by the Kerala athletes with four gold medals.
The Manipuri players forged
ahead in wushu with 14 golds, cycling with four golds, fencing with seven
golds. Services dominated the eqeustrian event as its riders captured three
gold medals to remain on the top.
With Manipur’s supremacy is
well established in Indian sports, the sportspersons from the State
are facing strange situation of being pitted
against their own peer as many players born and groomed in the soil of
Manipur are representing other States and Services.
If interpreted in the positive perspective the fact that many Manipuris are
playing for other State is a testimony of tremendous stride players of this
tiny State had made in recent past through sheer determination and hard work
but such precedence if allowed to persist also pose threat to the sports
movement of the native land.
No doubt Manipur has today emerged as a power to be reckoned with in the
National sports arena, but when imagination wanders beyond the pride of
place sportspersons had won the day will not be far off when Manipuris
prefer greener pastures especially when they realise there is life to be
lived beyond sports.
This factor is also unarguably the most glaring example of enmass deflux of
Manipuris to other States where not only medal winners are assured hefty
cash bounties but promises of a better life after sports is inevitable.
Since hosting the National games in Imphal, manipur had been consistent in
the race for the Raja Bhalendar Trophy for overall champions and had been
finishing among the top five States in the country’s sporting extravaganza
for the past few editions.
Prospect of Manipur regaining the Raja Bhalendra Trophy had been boosted by
the showing the players had dished out so far with 43 gold, 17 silver and 21
bronze medals but the irony is many medals that could have been included in
Manipur’s kitty had gone to other States.
This could be clearly illustrated by the fact that, among many, hosts Assam
won its first gold medal of the current edition through a Manipuri (Somorjit)
in the wushu discipline while Uttar Pradesh owed one of its yellow metal
tally to another State native (Ng Sonia) who clinched the 48 weight lifting
title.
Representing Delhi Shandyarani secured the silver medal in the same class.
Besides numerous State natives being members of other States in team events,
Assam also had Deepmala Devi winning a gold in the 20 kms walking race.
Nagaland Govt had even gone to the extent of announcing Rs 1 lakh award for
gold medal winner and Rs 50,000 to silver medallists in the National Games.
Although precise information could not be culled on number of Manipuris
sweating for their newly adopted States, there is undeniable evidence that
several State natives are striving to earn glory for other States in various
events.
Even neighbouring Nagaland - making its debut in the Guwahati games - has
players from manipur contributing to their medal haul which itself is a
moment to cherish for the hilly State for making its mark in the
competition.
It could sound pessimistic to record achievements of Manipuris playing for
other States but there should be no further delay to frame a definite sports
policy by the Government of Manipur to tap and encourage its players stay
and play for its native land as failure to conceive long term effect of
players’ exodus would only constrict domination of Manipuris in the sporting
arena.
Moreover what is wrong in clamouring for glory of one’s own State rather
that sweat, toil and sacrifices made by our own blood brothers and sisters
glorify their adopted land by diminishing chances of Manipur stamping its
superiority in the field of sports.
It is a matter of concern that no financial awards or other incentive were
ever announced before or after the Manipur contingent left for the National
Games.
Apart from rich cultural heritage bestowed to Manipur contribution of
sportspersons in enriching the State should not go unacknowledged, to say
the least
Sports
Asom creates history
It was a red-letter day for the Assam sports fraternity as the host State
surpassed its previous National Games record by bagging a total of 28 medals
which includes six gold, seven silver and 15 bronze medals. At the previous
Hyderabad Games, Asom managed only 11 medals which included a gold, four
silver and six bronze medals. As still couple of more days to go before the
games come to an end, it is expected that the host State may improve its
medal tally further.
Out of 28 medals that it has bagged so far, eight of them came from wushu
including four gold and four bronze medals.
The other two gold medals came from Paragjyoti Baishya in men’s javelin
throw event and Surinder Bhandari in the taekwondo event. Besides, as many
as 11 bronze medals came from cycling.
Asom Chef-de-mission Bhogeswar Baruah expressed happiness and said that this
was a very proud moment for the entire sports fraternity and this would
inspire the upcoming athletes to march ahead in their respective fields.
While the wushu, fencing and tawkwondo events were dominated by the Manipuri
players, the aquatic centre was in the grip of Delhi and Karnataka swimmers.
Altogether three new meet records were set to day in the pool. Delhi’s star
swimmer Richa Mishra won two gold medals while Rohith R Havaldar of
Karnataka set a new record in men’s 1500 free style. Sandeep Sejwal of Delhi
also created a new meet record in men’s 200 m breast stroke
Golden boy
Somorjit Sagolsem bagged gold medal for Assam in wushu. Somorjit won gold in
men’s quan event. Manipur and Madhya Pradesh came second and third
respectively in that competition.
In cycling Assam’s team clinched another bronze medal in Olympic Sprint. The
team comprised Bikram Okram, Jayanta Singh and Aimcrom Thokchom. Punjab and
Services won silver and bronze medals in that event.
In equestrian, Asom bagged a silver medal on the opening day of the event.
In the men’s dressage team competition, Assam was ranked behind Services
which won gold. Haryana team was the bronze medallist.
The Assam team was represented by Sharvanan Kumar, Lakhbir singh and Sukhdev
Rathore. Their horses were Scarlatti, Red Rum and Master respectively.
In Pole vault Assam’s Gitanjali Bora won a bronze medal in women’s pole
vault crossing 3.5 metre
12 rowers among 16 hurt in bus
mishap
In an unfortunate incident sixteen sportspersons were injured, three of them
critically. The accident occurred when the bus in which they were traveling
collided with the road divider, 1km away from the Games Village on NH 37. Of
the 16 injured, 12 were rowers and were returning from the Indira Gandhi
Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai to the Games Village.
The injured have been admitted to the GNRC and Down Town hospitals in the
city.
The police said that the incident occurred when the driver of the bus lost
control of the vehicle and overturned after colliding with the divider.
Hardev Kadang, Guruchar Singh and Sunil Kumar were critically injured.
The other injured have been identified as Anil Kumar (23), Manoj Avasthi
(20), Dalbir Singh (45), Jagbir Singh (34), Seju Thomas (25), Indarpal
Siwadz (24), Munu Mathew (21), Bipul Debnath (26), Dwipen Kakati (26),
Motlif Ali, Pintu Thapa, JB Rao and PVB Krishnamurthy. Pintu Thapa was
identified as the driver of the bus.
Among the injured sportsmen, 10 are from Services Sports Control Board.
Hearing the news Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi visited the GNRC and Down Town
Hospital to meet the injured players and announced that the State Government
would bear all the expenses of their medical treatment
Fastest man of Games
Arunjith S of Kerala completed his sprint double at the 33rd
National Games. Arunjith had won both the 100 m and the 200m title. Arunjith
clocked 21.32 seconds to clinch the 200m title. H. M. Jyothi of Andhra
Pradesh won the 200 m women’s title taking 24.52 seconds to cover the
distance. In the men’s section Vishal Saxena (Uttar Pradesh, 21.62) and P
Muthuswamy (Tamil Nadu, 21.66) came second and third respectively. In the
women’s 200m final Rakhi Saha (West Bengal, 25.32) and R Elavarasi (Tamil
Nadu 25.38) took the second and third positions. Asom’s Jagadish Basak did
not take part in the race reportedly due to back injury.
In other events, J G Abraham of Kerala clinched the men’s 400 hurdles
clocking 51.62 seconds while P Shankar of Andhra Pradesh (52.70 sec) and
Avin A Thomas of Kerala (52.79 sec) bagged the second and third positions.
In women’s 400m hurdles, V Leelavathi of Tamil Nadu won the title clocking
1:01.74 min. Kerala’s L Cherian (1:02.23 min) and Harpreet Kaur of Punjab
(1:03.36sec) were the second and third position holders in that event.
Meanwhile, regarding the men's 20 km walk event. Asom Chief-de-Mission
lodged a protest against the gold medallist Somendro Singh of Services. The
contingent leader alleged that the walker did not complete the last lap. On
their part the technical committee of the track and field events has asked
for the video footage from Doordarshan. Somendro Singh won the first place
while Oinam Sushil Kumar Singh of Asom and Jolen PS also of Services came
second and third respectively.
Earlier, S Arunjith became
the fastest man of the 33rd National Games as he came on top in the 100m
with a timing of 10.66 sec beating SAF Games medallist Jagdish Basak of
Assam. Uttar Pradesh sprinter Vishal Saxena ( 10.73 sec) managed the third
position.
Gold in cycling, taekwondo
Not only O Bikram Singh of Assam clinched a cycling gold in the Elimination
Race, but also the State cyclists bagged two silver medals. In the men’s
4000m team pursuit, the State team comprising Prasanta Kumar Deka, Mridul
Borgohain, O Bikram Singh, Aimson Thokchom and Jayanta Singh finished behind
the Punjab team which won gold.
Meanwhile, in Taekwondo Assam bagged one gold, three silver and two bronze
medals. The taekwondo team has so far clinched two gold, three silver and
two bronze medals.
Asom’s Shiv Kumar clinched gold in the featherweight category. The State is
expecting few more medals.
Great performances
As the Assam archers managed to hit the bull’s eye in the men’s event and
eventually bagged gold medal in the Indian round team event. The archers
also bagged three more silvers.
In the Indian round women’s team event, the Asom team bagged silver while in
the men’s and women’s individual event Bishnu Ram Nath and Prativa Boro
bagged silver in the 50m Indian Olympics round. Bishnu lost the final by a
narrow margin of just four points.
The men’s team included the likes of Baleswar Ram, Bishnu Ram Nath, Pankaj
Das, and Rupeshwar Ray.
Bishnu Ram Nath while talking to this correspondent said that he was
disappointed with his performance in the individual round as he was
expecting gold. “As I have already bagged gold in the recently held Senior
National tournament in Andhra Pradesh I was trying to repeat the same magic
but it was not to be,” he said.
The women’s team which won the silver comprised of Belshri Narzary, Bharati
Sarania, Binuma Brahma and Prativa Boro.Asom could well add few more medals
in their in the FITA round.
Richa wins 6 golds
Ace swimmer Richa Mishra continued her golden run at the National Games
claiming a total of six gold medals. Displaying great form the Delhi swimmer
rewrote National Games record in 200m backstroke. But it was a disappointing
performance from Fariha Zaman as the ace swimmer and SAF Games medalist
winner of Assam managed silver in the 200m backstroke and a poor sixth slot
in 50m freestyle.
However, Fariha timed 2:29:81 bettering the Games record.
Meanwhile, in other swimming events of the day, records continue to tumble
with five new National Games records were scripted in the men’s 400m
individual, men’s 200m backstroke, women’s 200m backstroke, men’s 50m
freestyle and women’s 50m freestyle
Paragjyoti makes Assam proud
It was a proud moment not only for Young Paragjyoti Baishya, but also for
the entire North-East region, as he won the gold in javelin throw in the
33rd National Games. Quite significantly, it was the maiden athletic gold
medal in the Games for the State as in the previous occasions no Assam
athlete had been able to win gold in the track and field events. Paragjyoti
covered a distance of 69.99 metre.
A jubilant Paragjyoti said that he was very much proud to win the medal for
the State. The boy from Rajaduar, North Guwahati, is now eyeing a a berth in
the Indian squad for the Commonwealth Games next and other international
events. He admits that it will be a tough job to suppress national record of
79.68m. The record is in the name of Satbir Singh.
It was his maiden National Games for Paragjyoti and he was visibly delighted
with his performance. He was trained at SAI city centre till 2005 and now
working as a constable in the Border Security Force, posted in New Delhi.
Paragjyoti was frank in admitting that his previous best was only 67m and he
had never won a medal in the senior category. “I never expected gold. But
all the throwers were of almost same category and that was the reason that
after the first throw I became confident that I can win a medal here” said
Paragjyoti.
The golden effort though fetched Rs. Three lakh for Paragjyoti but it is
clearly not enough for him to continue high grade training.
Renu Bala lifts gold for State
Creating a new games record, Renu Bala Chanu has won gold for Assam. Renu
Bala clinched the gold medal in the women’s weightlifting in the 58 kg
category with a new meet record. Renu Bala lifted 94 kg in snatch and 114 kg
in clean and jerk.
Punjab and Haryana lifters won silver and bronze medals in that group
respectively. Renubala also tried to break the national record of 118 kg in
jerk attempting 119 kg. But unfortunately Renu narrowly missed the target.
Another Asom woman lifter Suni Bala Devi won a bronze medal in the 53 kg
category. She cleared 80 kg in snatch and 98 kg in jerk. Manipur won gold
medal while Delhi settled for bronze in that weight category. Along with
Asom, Manipur, Services, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh also cornered
weightlifting gold medals
Games to send right signal to
investors
Assam Industries Minister Pradyut Bordoloi is of the opinion that the
success of National Games would send the right signals to the potential
investors and explode the myth that Asom is not a safe destination for
investors and tourists. Talking to meadiapersons, Mr. Bordoloi further
expressed that “The fact that we have been able to build up international
standard sports infrastructure right from the scratch despite the hurdles
that came in the way proved that we have the political will, while, the
successful holding of the Games also established out managerial and
organizing capabilities,” He is happy that the ongoing games has proved it
beyond doubt that the people of the State are peace loving and there is no
place for violence in the State.
Further advocating the cause
of the State, the Minister revealed that the proposed international tea
convention, which is slated to be held in the later this year, has to face
many hurdles. ‘People with vested interests even tried to cancel the
convention on the pretext of law and order,’ he alleged. According to him
during the disturbed January, the same section put pressure on the Commerce
Ministry to shift the venue to Kolkata. He opposed the ministry’s decision
to shift the venue from Assam to Kolkata. He is hopeful that watching the
security scenario during the games, the Commerce Ministry will again shift
the venue. It may be mentioned here that little over than 13,000 players,
officials and others are at present in Assam for the game. Claiming that
only 1000 of delegates are supposed to attend the convention, Mr. Bordoloi
stresses that Assam is within its right to host the convention as the State
produces more than 55 per cent of the total tea produced in India. He
further pointed out that Assam did not receive the benefits of the special
Industrial Policy for the North East to the desired level because of the
myth that the state is not a safe destination for the investors, while,
despite having tremendous potential, growth of tourism has also not reached
the desired level because of the same reason.
Asom bags three silvers in
water sports
Amarjeet Singh of Services won a golden double in the 500 metre men’s
canoeing and kayaking events, while Asom bagged three silvers and a bronze
on the sixth day of the 33rd National Games at Charan Beel here today.
Amarjeet did his team proud by clinching the gold. C Joseph of Andaman and
Nicobar won the silver, while Ching Ching Singh of Asom grabbed the bronze,
in the only event held outside Guwahati.
Amarjeet repeated his golden run in the 500 metre kayaking to emerge
victorious while Asom’s CC Singh bettered his performance to bag the silver
and G Lal of Madhya Pradesh took the bronze in the same event.
In women’s 500 metre kayaking, Anita George of Kerala struck gold with a
perfect display, while Asom’s Sushila Devi, tipped as favourite, had to be
content with silver. Elima of Andaman and Nicobar got the bronze medal.
Asom bagged the third silver of the day in men’s 500 metre canoeing C2
through Bikash Dikshit and Satya Prakash.
Impressive Assam
Assam made an impressive start in men’s football on the opening day of the
33rd National Games at the Nehru Stadium by handing over 4-0 drubbing to
Maharashtra, the champions of the Imphal Games. The host team was leading
2-0 at the break.
Ajit Singh opened the account in the sixth minute while skipper Sanjeeva
Rongpi made it 2-0 after six minutes.
Continuing their domination, the host team pumped in two more in the second
session. Durga Boro netted the third goal in the 50th minute while Sanjeeva
completed the rout five minutes from the time. The young Maharashtra boys
hardly put any pressure at the Asom box as the watertight defence hardly
allowed their frontliners any room.
In the other match of the day the champions of the last two editions of the
Games Punjab were upset by Meghalaya at the Maligaon Railway stadium ground,
which got a wild card entry.
The State women team, however, was defeated by Orissa at the SAI ground.
Sarita and Alochana were the scorers for the winning team while Sangita Boro
reduced the margin.
Assam stuns Punjab in hockey
It was a pleasant surprise as Assam caused a major upset in men’s hockey
defeating the star-studded and defending champions Punjab 5-3. Chinglensana
Singh (32nd min), Brojen Singh (55th min), Sameer Dad (57th, 63rd min) and
Sanjeev Singh were the scorers for the hosts, while Gagandeep Singh (10th,
61st min) and Satwinder Singh were the goal getters for the Punjab outfit.
Assam has all along being at the receiving end in all national-level
championships but today the boots were on the other foot. By hooking in
several internationals like Sameer Dad, Chinglensana Singh, Jagdish Singh,
Kulbhushan Vashist, Sanjeev Singh, Brojen Singh, Rajnish Mishra, Asom had
been a dominating side from the very beginning.
Sanjib bags 1st medal for Asom
Sanjib Boro became the first individual athlete to win a medal for Asom at
the 33rd National Games claiming a bronze medal in the 66kg freestyle
wrestling. The State grappler went down to HS Patil of Services in the
semifinal and confirmed a bronze medal. Expressing his satisfaction over his
medal-winning show, Sanjib said that he was expecting a position and was
happy to give the State a medal.
The State cycling teams also won two bronze medals in the 1500m-team event
at Tepesia today. In the men’s team time trial event, Punjab took the gold
while Andhra Pradesh came second to bag the silver medal.
The Manipuri women’s team clinched the gold pushing Punjab for the silver
medal.
The Asom men’s team members were Bikram Singh, Amit Sabrawal, Amiron Singh
and Jayanta Singh while the women’s team comprised Himajyoti Gogoi, Bina
Kumari, Sunita and Ginita.
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