Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, November 27 2010:
For the first time in the history of Thang-Ta, a traditional art form of martial dexterity of Manipur, Thang-Ta Federation of India and Huyen Langlon Thang-Ta Association, Manipur is all set to host, under World Thang-Ta Federation, an international championship at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal from 11 to 14 March 2011 in its bid to salvage the art form and inch closer to realizing the dream of having it included as an international sporting discipline.
Thang-Ta is a traditional martial art form having its origin in Manipur.
It is also otherwise known as Huyen Langlon which means "knowledge of war art" .
The 1st World Thang-Ta Championship 2011 will likely host competitors from 15 countries: Nepal , Bhutan , Sri Lanka , Canada , Malaysia , Nigeria , Bangladesh , Pakistan , Iran and Afghanistan amongst other will send participants for the championship, said H Prem Kumar, president, World Thang-Ta Federation.
Spelling out the details he said that since this is the inception event no entry fee will be charged from the competitors.
The Federation will also bear all expenses for the participants including a coach and a manager of each team.
More than 50 lacs is expected to be spent in organizing the event.
The State sports minister has already been approached for the institution of a committee headed by the minister himself to steer the event to its successful conduct, he said, adding that Association members have met Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram who has tentatively consented to grace the opening of the championship as chief guest.
"We are trying to promote the art form at a global level by organizing the event at home but the biggest obstacle has always been the volatile law and order situation in the State", Kumar regretted.
The association has already written to the Asian Olympic Association (AOA) for the inclusion of Thang-Ta as a competitive sporting discipline following recognition from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
A forward will be sent to International Olympic Association (IOA) on receiving the go-ahead from the AOA to be included in martial art category just as other martial art forms are being competed, he said.