Bishnupur: Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, today graced the closing ceremony of the 1st Bishnupur District Olympic Games 2026 at Chengei Lampak, Moirang, in Bishnupur district. Organised by the District Administration, Bishnupur, and the Bishnupur District Olympic Association, the event aimed to nurture the true spirit of sports through the values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, and excellence.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh; Home Minister and Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Govindas Konthoujam; MLAs Irengbam Nalini Devi, Thongam Shanti Singh, and Tongbram Robindro Singh; Chief Secretary
Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel; the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur District; senior officials; and members of the public attended the closing ceremony.
The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, the final sporting events, and a band display by a contingent of the Indian Army. The Governor along with CM and MLAs distributed prizes and mementoes to the winners of the various sporting disciplines.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor stated that the 1st Bishnupur District Olympic Games, 2026 had embodied the true spirit of sports by bringing together young athletes from across the district to compete in sixteen disciplines while promoting the values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and excellence. He congratulated the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organisers for the successful conduct of the event. He also highlighted Manipur’s rich sporting legacy and acknowledged the achievements of distinguished athletes from Bishnupur, whose accomplishments continue to inspire the younger generation.
The Governor further emphasised that district-level sporting events are vital for identifying and nurturing future champions, providing young athletes with opportunities to progress to the state, national, and international levels. He noted that Thoubal had taken the lead by organising the first district-level Olympic Games, while Bishnupur had successfully carried the initiative forward. Expressing hope that the model would be replicated across all districts of Manipur, he said such grassroots initiatives would help ensure that no talented athlete is left undiscovered. He also highlighted national initiatives such as Fit India, Khelo India, along with the role of the National Sports University and the North Eastern Council’s High-Level Sports Task Force in strengthening the region’s sporting ecosystem.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated that the District Olympic Games would strengthen the spirit of healthy competition among athletes while providing a vital platform to identify and nurture emerging talent. He said the initiative would play a significant role in helping sportspersons from the State raise their performance to national and international standards in their respective disciplines.
