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Dimapur, May 27 (EMN): Twenty five-year-old, Wede T Mero from Chizami village, Phek, Nagaland won the Shirui Lily Half Marathon Men’s Open 2022, covering 22 km in one hour thirty one minute and seven seconds on May 26.
An update from the organisers informed that Manipur's H Ngapulou (22-year-old) from Liyai Khunou, Senapati district, Manipur secured the first runner-up, while 19-year-old Manoubi Singh from Pachim Lanka Gaon, Baluhandar Hojai, Assam emerged as the second runner-up.
The marathon was organised on the theme 'Say No to Drugs' in line with the Manipur government’s 'War on Drugs campaign’, while promoting the state flower.
T-Coleve, an event management team under the aegis of Shirui Lily State Festival Entertainment Sub-Committee, organised the half marathon.
The 22 km marathon was flagged off by former Education Minister and MLA, Dr. Th. Radheshyam Singh in the presence of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) President, David K Shimray. The award ceremony of the event was attended by HAC Chairman and MLA, Dipu Gangmei as chief guest and Ukhrul ADC/ADM, Chunglenmang Kipgen as the special guest.
Dr. Singh, in his speech, expressed pleasure in being a part of the campaign rally. Showing support for the 'War on Drugs' campaign, he urged the people ‘to keep fighting the good fight for the cause to defeat the deathly enemy - drugs and substance abuse’.
He further asked the crowd to be guardians and counselors for those struggling with addiction. Drugs should not hinder young generation’s aspirations, the MLA concluded.
During the award ceremony, MLA Dipu Gangmei appreciated the sportsmanship of the athletes, while lauding T-Coleve for bringing about a healthy competitive platform for potential talents.
TNL President, David K Shimray, in his speech, shared his concern regarding rampant substance abuse in the state and the threat it posed to an otherwise bright future.
Reiterating TNL's commitment in fighting drug abuse, the president of the apex body of the Tangkhul community emphasised on the need for collective action to help free people from the bondage of substance abuse.
As part of the opening programme of the event, T-Coleve also organised a campaign rally for 'Drug-Free Manipur' along with a 'March for Kashong Timràwon', the local name for the state flower Shirui Lily.
The top ten runners -- Sahidur Rahman, George Ningkhanmung Shimray, Nahtei N Wangnou, Chihanyo Raman, Sophia Soro, Md Abdul Rajak, Tuishim Horam, Khalatza Shimray, Thotngacheirin Hunphun Luiyi and Yurngachan Luiram -- were also awarded with consolation prizes for merit.