Sikkim is the third best performer among the all the northeastern states beyond the largest NE state of Assam. Manipur, another northeastern state, is the top performer with 11 gold medals to its credit. Sikkim has won four medals till now which include one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

From Sikkim, Sukraj Mukhia won gold in Karate (Men Kumite Single) in the below 50 Kg category. Sabina Sundas and Nilufa Begum won silver medals in Taekwondo (Women) in Exceeding 46 Kg and Over 73 Kg category, respectively. The 4th medal, a bronze, was won by Sumo Rani Devi in Taekwondo (Women) in Over 68 Kg & Not Ex. 73 Kg.
But it’s Manipur which has flooded the northeast with gold medals. While Sanatombi Chanu Leimapokpam won two gold medals in Wushu (Women Taiji Jian), Priya Devi Changamayum won another two in Rowing (Women’s Double Sculls-1500mts). Roshan Singh Nandeibam won two gold in Wushu (Men) Chang Quan) and Jian Shu events.

The only other northeastern state performing better than Sikkim is Meghalaya which has won five medals, all in Karate. Meghalaya has won one gold, three silver and one bronze.

Assam has performed poorly till now winning only seven bronze medals. Arunachal and Mizoram have won five and two bronze medals respectively.

Women: The clear winners

The women are the clear winners in the Jharkhand National Games. Of Manipur’s 11 gold medals, nine have been won by women. Of the total 27 medals won by Manipur, 17 go to women sportspersons. Of Meghalaya’s 5 medals, 3 have been won by women and its only gold has also been won by Linza Fenny Syiem in Karate (Women Kumite Single 50.1 To 55kg). In case of Sikkim, though the gold has been won by a man but all the 3 other medal winners are women. Arunachal’s 4 of the 6 bronze winners are women and Assam’s 5 of the 7 bronze winners are women. Only in Mizoram both the bronze winners are men and women have not won any medal.

Earlier the 34th NG was inaugurated on 12th of February amidst pomp & show by the governor of Jharkhand His Excellency, M.O.H. Farook in Mega Sport Complex, Ranchi. It commenced in a grand manner with Aerobics Shows, Sparkling Lights, Fire Works, Tri-Colour Balloons followed by performance of Bollywood Stars.

A delighted Jharkhand CM, Arjun Munda addressed the full capacity crowds in the Birsa Munda Athletic Stadium which is the main stadium. The confidence level and vision of the Jharkhand CM could be summed up when he said “Chodo kal ki battein kal ki baat purani Naye daur par likhenge milkar nayi kahani”. The large gathering was also addressed by the JOA President Mr. R.K.Anand, the IOA President Suresh Kalmadi and also the Deputy CM Sudesh Kumar Mahto who is also the minister of sports in the state of Jharkhand.

The game has just begun and with 11 more days to go, many more interesting trends will follow.

 

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