Manipur's Athletes Shine as Part of India's Asian Games Team
Manipur's Representation at the Asian Games
Manipur’s Youth Affairs and Sports Director Mayengbam Veto (centre) flanked by senior officers. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Sept 19: A total of thirty-six athletes from Manipur are set to compete as part of India's 499-member team at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, commencing this Saturday.
According to Mayengbam Veto, the Director of Youth Affairs and Sports in Manipur, the state's athletes include 12 players in Sepak Takraw, three in Wushu, six in Canoeing and Kayaking, three fencers, four hockey players, three cyclists, three weightlifters, one rower, and one boxer.
The delegation also features three female coaches specializing in rowing, weightlifting, and Wushu.
Veto emphasized Manipur's rich history in contributing to Indian sports, noting that the state has produced 19 Olympians, including three medalists, along with 26 Asian Games medalists and 36 Commonwealth Games medalists.
He remarked, “The success of sports in Manipur is a collective effort from various clubs, associations, and academies that have significantly shaped the athletes.”
Additionally, the state has seen numerous athletes honored with prestigious National Sports Awards.
To date, 24 athletes from Manipur have received the Arjuna Award, three have been honored with the Khel Ratna, six with the Padma Shri, one with the Padma Bhushan, one with the Padma Vibhushan, one with the Dronacharya Award, and one with the Dhyan Chand Award.
In light of the state’s initiative “Vision 2030: Manipur as Sports Capital,” Veto called on investors and stakeholders to join efforts in establishing Manipur as a hub for sports, tourism, and athletic excellence.
He also mentioned plans to formalize the Manipur State Sports Policy, with a draft currently being developed through stakeholder consultations.
Regarding the National Games infrastructure, Veto indicated that Manipur is expected to host hockey and cycling events at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal during the 39th National Games, scheduled for 2027 in Meghalaya, due to limitations in stadium facilities.
Renovations of the existing hockey AstroTurf and cycling velodrome are underway, with completion anticipated by the end of next month, he added.
“However, there is no definitive information regarding the hosting of Fencing events at this time,” Veto stated.
Under the Khelo India Scheme 2.0, the swimming pool in Bishnupur has been completed, and the Mayang Imphal Indoor Stadium has been inaugurated. Construction of natural-grass football fields is also ongoing at eight block headquarters.
“Out of these projects, five have been finalized, while three are still in progress,” Veto noted.
He further mentioned that 30 out of the 32 District Khelo India Centres in the state are operational, and Manipur boasts one State Khelo India Excellence Centre.
With the introduction of Khelo India Scheme 3.0, infrastructure development will be prioritized, Veto confirmed.
He also highlighted that athletes achieving international success, along with 196 players who won gold medals at the National Games, have been granted government employment.
“Despite being a small state, Manipur's contributions to national and international sports are significantly greater than those of larger states,” he concluded.