Imphal: Manipur Governor La. Ganesan said active and continued participation in sports and athletics would pay rich dividends in terms of fitness, well-being, and happiness.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Championship 2022–23, organised by the Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Association (MVTTA), held at the Kangshang, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East, today.
Addressing the gathering, the governor said the Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Association (MVTTA) is doing a great job with a view to hunting talent from the pool, which has not yet represented the state in any veteran national championship.
He stated that this championship will provide an opportunity for players who have not previously represented the state to do better while also producing new talent that can be counted on to represent the state in the future. Organizing such events has proven that table tennis is inclusive, a sport for all, and one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world. the governor said the Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Association (MVTTA) is doing a great job with a view to hunting talent from the pool, which has not yet represented the state in any veteran national championship.
It is a sport that can be played by all ages and is quite useful for health. If wealth is lost, nothing is lost, but if health is lost, something is lost, and we need to remain healthy by playing such sports, the governor added.
La. Ganesan continued that table tennis is a fairly popular game and is also played as a competitive sport in several countries. It has also been an Olympic sport since 1988. This game as a competitive sport is popular in East Asia and Europe.
He further said that if Manipur has to do better, there will be a need to upgrade the facilities and the coaching standard, for which both the state government and MVTTA have to work together.
The governor extended his congratulations to the winners and thanked the competitors who had played during the championship. He also thanked the Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Association for organising the championship. The governor also donated Rs. 25,000 to encourage the organisers and the players.
Later, Governor Ganesan handed over the prizes to the winners and runners-up of the championship. The 20th Manipur Veterans Table Tennis Championship 2022–23 began on January 13, 2023, after a gap of 3 years. The championship was organised under the categories of Women’s 40+ Singles, Women’s 50+ Singles, Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s 60+ Doubles, Men’s 50+ Doubles, Men’s 40+ Doubles, Men’s 70+ Singles, Men’s 60+ Singles, Men’s 50+ Singles, and Men’s 40+ Singles. Players from various districts of the state participated in the championship.
Secretary to the Governor of Manipur, Bobby Waikhom; Retd. Chief Engineer, PWD, Manipur, and President, MVTTA, O. Digendra Singh; CO 109 Battalion, CRPF, Balakrishna Rao; Organizing Secretary, MVTTA, Dr. Sh. Amrita Singh; Secretary, MVTTA, Dr. H. Nirendra; Members of MVTTA and invitees attended the closing ceremony, among others.
