IMPHAL, Jan 30: The All Manipur Canoeing and Kayaking Association is currently hosting the 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championship 2012-2013 at Komlakhong Water Sports Complex, Mayang Imphal, Imphal West under the aegis of the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association.
The Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat t inaugurated the 23rd National Canoe Sprint Championship 2012-2013.
Delivering his speech at the inaugural function, the Governor said that canoeing and kayaking is a fairly new sports in Manipur with the association formed in the year 1995. “In this short spend of time, Manipur has produced about 33 International paddlers besides five national coaches. It shows that the Association is active and works hard towards the development of the sports in the state,” he said.
It may be mentioned that presently, the state is having two water sports complex- one at Takmu and another in Komlakhong.
In the current championships, 700 paddlers from 25 teams and from Manipur state are participating. “It is not easy to provide accommodation but sufficient accommodation is providing to the players so that they can concentrate in the championship,” he mentioned while adding the hope that such an event will encourage the young and provide an impetus to the young peddlers and motivate to specialize in Canoeing and Kayaking.
Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh, Minister Works and Transports speaking at the function said that it is a great privilege of the state to host this event since it is the first of its kind in the North East. It was his dream turning to reality as a chairman of the state Championships, he said while expressing his pleasure that the adventurous sport meet could was taking place on Loktak Lake with the blessings of CM, Okram Ibobi and the hard work of M Prithviraj, Parliamentary Secretary, YAS and Tourism.
M Prithviraj, Parliamentary Secretary, YAS and Tourism extend his gratitude to Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association to let this event happen as a host.
Raghunathan, President, Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association said that if a Centre for canoeing and kayaking gets established in Manipur, he will try to bring the best coaches to teach more of this sports especially for Manipur boys and girls.