The task ahead

No words of praise are sufficient for the people of Manipur, who, defying all odds, not only ensured smooth conduct of the 5th National Games, but also encouraged the State's sportspersons to clinch the overall championship in the Games, which in the process has added a new chapter to the history of Indian sports.

Since the day Manipur was awarded the 5th National Games, ad nausem, instead of helping the State in its pursuit to hold the games successfully, efforts were made to rob the State of its rightful place in the sporting history of the country, its hour of glory. Law and order situation, geographical distance, poor communication facilities and many more reasons were cited to snatch away the National Games from Manipur.

But it goes to the credit of the officials of the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA), the State Government and above all to the people of the State who did not waste their time and energy in replying all these baseless allegations, but devoted themselves whole-heartedly for creating infrastructure and other facilities required for the games. The Government of India in this context also deserve a special mention for solidly supporting the State in its pursuit and helping Manipur financially.

In a last ditch effort to spoil Manipur's tryst with history, the detractors of the 5th National Games circulated the view that the Games at Imphal would be a dull affair as the sportspersons would not be able to perform to the best of their abilities due to the prevailing law and order situation in the State. But the world mark created by ace shooter Jaspal Rana and the 14 gold medal haul by Karnataka swimmer Nisha Mallet showed how far these people were from truth and how limited their knowledge was about sports. Performance of a true champion does not depend on the State in which the competition is being held. Rather it depends on the facilities available for the games and the sporting attitude of the people.
Beyond doubt, the facilities, the main stadium, the swimming pool, the indoor stadium, the velodrome, the hockey stadium and the games village created in a span of four years can match the best in the country. The participating sportspersons were unanimous in praising the facilities offered to them at Imphal. Another lesson for those who think only in terms of crime and corruption whenever any reference of the North-Eastern region is made.

But the job of the Manipuri people as well as the North-Easterners do not end only after silencing these people. Now they have a much greater responsibility and a more bigger role to play. The region will have to maintain its success and eventually to become the 'nerve centre' of Indian sports.

The North-Eastern sportspersons were in no way inferior to the sportspersons of other mainland states. They are genetically gifted, they have the talents, and have the killer instinct. What was needed was a proper infrastructure and a sporting environment. The 5th National Games have provided both. The foundation has been laid. And it is time to consolidate.