Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, January 28
After the formal flag off in Shillong on January 21, the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) torch relay was again flagged off here on Thursday by Public Health Engineering minister, Irengbam Hemochandra Singh, in a well attended gathering at the historic Kangla Fort complex in the heart of Imphal town. Guwahati and Shillong will jointly host the SAG from February 6 to 16.
Commerce and Industries minister Gobindas Konthoujam, Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai, Chandel MLA Nunglung Victor, state chief secretary O Nabakishore, secretary youth affairs and sports RK Dinesh, Secretary to chief minister N Ashokumar, Youth affairs and sports Director W Bhaktaraj, and most of who’s who in sports department and Manipuri sports world also attended the day’s torch run.
Braving the chilly winter wind in the morning, more than 1000 sportspersons led by many Olympians, international and national level players and athletes turned up and took part in the torch relay run along the newly renovated wide and smooth Imphal roads around Kangla fort. The torch relay will hit Gangtok on January 30 followed by Kohima and Itanager on February 1 and 3 before leading the torch to Guwahati on February 5.
On January 21, Meghalaya Chief Minister flagged off the “Run for North East” or the 5-km mini marathon from the Fire Brigade ground in the presence of a host of dignitaries and hundreds of people from across Meghalaya. Olympic medalist Mary Kom, another Indian ace boxer Laishram Sarita Devi, Bollywood star Milind Soman and Meghalaya ministers and organising committee members of SAG also attended the event.
