Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 21 2008:
THE 19TH Senior National Fencing Championship organised by Manipur Fencing Association (MFA) under the aegis of Fencing Association of India (FAI) has commenced today at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal.
State Chief Minister O Ibobi graced the opening ceremony as chief guest.
Kh Loken, Chairman Planning and Development Authority Manipur presided over the function.
Information and PHED minister TN Haokip, TD minister DD Thaisii, Chairman Pollution Con-trol Board E Dwijamani, President MOA, MLA Bijoy Koijam, MLA Meghachandra, Managing Director MPHC N Shyamananda IPS, and Secretary Ge-neral Fencing Association of India Arunkumar Vij also participated the opening ceremony.
YAS minister N Biren who is also the chief patron of the organising committee also participated in the opening ceremony.
State chief minister O Ibobi and Kh Loken, Chairman Planning and Development Authority Manipur commenced the championship by hoisting flags of FAI and MFA.
International fencer S Reorita performed the oath taking ceremony.
Altogether 26 teams are participating in the championship.
Among them there are fencers of SSB, Navy and Services.
Manipur, Tamil nadu, Punjab, Maharastra, Bihar, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have the largest number of participants with 24 participants each.
Altogether 278 fencers are participating in men's category while 153 fencers participated in women's category.
There are also 81 officials.