Olympians, institutions celebrate National Sports Day

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 29: Many institutions, bodies and sports personalities including Olympics Silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, Olympians Ksh Thoiba Singh (Hockey) and weightlifter Nameirakpam Kunjarani Devi celebrated the National Sports Day today.
The Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Fit India Campaign Committee (FICC), and Fit India Club (FIC), Manipur University observed the day with a bicycle rally on the theme "Sport for promotion of Peaceful and inclusive societies” at the varsity in Canchipur.
Around 300 cyclists including a team of Manipur Adventure and Mountain Biking Association (MAAMBA) participated in the bicycle rally that started from Manipur University and proceeded towards Kangla Gate, BT Road, Waheng Leikai and Keishampat and culminated at the University.
Observed in line with Fit India Movement, the event saw participation of Tokyo Olympic Silver Medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu along with MU Vice Chancellor Prof N Lokendra Singh, Chairman, FICC, FIC  Prof M Premjit Singh, Head of PESS Prof L Thambal Singh, RIMS Medical Superintendent and Bicycle Mayor Prof Dr Sanjib Singh Nepram and Dean of School of Education Prof Premlata Maisnam.
The gathering paid floral tributes to Hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
As a token of appreciation for her performance in the Paris Olympic, a memento was presented to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu by MU VC Prof N Lokendra Singh and Registrar Prof W Chandbabu Singh.
On the occasion, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu stressed the importance of performing daily physical activities/exercises.
She encouraged people to spend at least an hour in the morning every day doing physical exercises to remain healthy and active throughout the day.
Talking about her recent performance in the Paris Olympics, Mirabai said sportspersons should always remain positive and work tirelessly. Winning and losing are parts of sports, she added.
VC Prof N Lokendra Singh too spoke about the importance of physical exercises and said people should use bicycles often and avoid travelling in motor vehicles whenever possible.
He said the students and faculties of the University should use the bicycles at the campus. The university has around 100 bicycles for use by the students.
RIMS observes
The Department of Sports Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal celebrated the day at the Sports Science Lab.
Director RIMS Imphal Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma, Medical Superintendent Prof N Sanjib, Prof Yumnam Nandabir Singh of Dept of Sports Medicine, Olympians--Ksh Thoiba Singh (Hockey) and weightlifter Nameirakpam Kunjarani Devi attended the event.
Director Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma said RIMS would have a world class gym, a football field and a tennis court in the next 2-3 years.
CRPF celebrates
Group Centre, CRPF, Langjing Imphal observed the National Sports Day to mark the birth anniversary of legendary Hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
R Duidang, DIGP and Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, DIGP, GC, CRPF Imphal felicitated international and National sports achievers posted in various offices/units of Manipur and Nagaland Sector.
The CRPF also organised various indoor and outdoor games and fitness activities, and a "Walkathon-Walk for Unity".
Maram college, school celebrate
A celebration of teamwork and athleticism, the National Sports Day 2024 was observed with great enthusiasm at Don Bosco College Autonomous Maram and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Maram.
The event was organised in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Units of both the Institutions.
Dr Fr KO Sebastian SDB, Principal of Don Bosco College Autonomous Maram led the observance.
Basketball, relay race, volleyball, 100 metre race and 200 metre race were conducted with the participation of around 200 volunteers from the institutions.
Kakching schools celebrate
Celebrating the National Sports Day, Kakching Area Recognised Private Schools' Association organised an interschool football tournament at Yaisa Sports Arena, Kakching.
JRD Pathseekers' Academy won the tournament beating Grace Cottage Academy 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.
Martin Grammar School, Padma Ratna English School and Victory High School too participated in the tournament.