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Culture, Secularism and Diversity
SPEECH BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF FIFTH NATIONAL GAMES-99

IMPHAL, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1999


I have great pleasure to be present at this colourful inauguration of the Fifth National Games at Imphal. It is for the first time that the National Games are being held in the North-Eastern region of our country. The fact that Manipur has been chosen for this important national event, is a tribute to the sporting skills of the people of Manipur, and indeed, of the whole of the North-East, and to the infrastructural facilities of international standards that have been built up in Imphal.

The sporting genius of the youth of Manipur, and of the North-East, has produced eminent sports persons of national fame in disciplines such as weight-lifting, hockey, boxing and horsemanship. Dingko Singh of Manipur, in the recent Asian Games, has made us all proud by winning the Gold Medal. I am confident that the Fifth National Games will provide opportunities for the youth of North-East, together with the youth of India, to display their talents, discover new talents and prepare them for winning greater laurels in Asian, Commonwealth and International Games in the future. Constant playing and participation in contests, and constant training from the time of schooling onwards, is the secret of success and glory in the international arena. Our boys and girls, deserve every facility, every encouragement, that the nation can provide for developing their inherent genius in sports for winning laurels in the world.

I should like to compliment the people and the Government of Manipur, for making such excellent arrangements for the Fifth National Games. May I congratulate the youth of our nation, and of Manipur and the North-East in particular, for their enthusiastic participation in these games. I should also like to compliment the Indian Olympic Association, the Manipur Olympic Association, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Sporting events cut across all barriers and promote understanding and camaraderie among all sections of people. Let the National Games also promote the emotional unity of India.

I declare open the Fifth National Games.


Jai Hind
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