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Culture, Secularism and Diversity |
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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.
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