First Khelo India Beach Games: Manipur Tops, Nagaland Joins Top Three

The Games saw strong performances from Northeast states, mainly in pencak silat.

Manipur finished first and Nagaland made it to the top three for the first time as the first Khelo India Beach Games ended in Diu on Saturday. The Games saw strong performances from Northeast states, mainly in pencak silat, a martial art from Indonesia.

Manipur, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir won five gold medals each. But the number of silver medals decided the final rankings. Manipur came first with six silver medals, followed by Maharashtra with five and Nagaland with three. Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir shared fourth place with one silver each.

This was Nagaland’s best-ever result in a Khelo India event.

The host Union Territory, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHDD), won four gold medals, all in pencak silat and finished seventh, just behind Delhi.

The Beach Games included six medal sports, pencak silat, beach sepak takraw, soccer, volleyball, open sea swimming, and kabaddi. Two other sports, mallakhamb and tug-of-war were shown as demonstrations. A total of 811 athletes from 31 states and Union Territories took part, with 46 gold medals at stake.

Pencak silat had the most medals, with 28 golds. Manipur won four of its five golds in pencak silat. Nagaland also won four in this sport. Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, and DNHDD also won most or all of their golds in pencak silat.

Team events like beach volleyball, beach soccer, and beach sepak takraw were held on Friday night. Tamil Nadu won both volleyball golds.

Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the organisers and praised DNHDD for hosting the first edition.

“Diu has always been special to me. These Games are part of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to promote beach sports in India,” he said.

He also praised Manipur for taking the top spot and congratulated Nagaland for entering the top three for the first time.

“Manipur showed great skill and strength, especially in pencak silat,” said Dr. Mandaviya.

Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Raksha Nikhil Khadse said the Games were a big step forward for Indian sports.

“Our young athletes performed very well. The Khelo India Beach Games have brought attention to many exciting sports,” she said.

She added that Northeast states like Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam have great potential.

“The Northeast has a lot of talented athletes. Their success here shows what they can achieve with the right support,” she said.

The Games were held from May 19 to May 24 in Diu. This was the first time beach games were organised under the Khelo India programme, which aims to promote sports and find young talent from across the country.

Also Read: COCOMI to Hold Protests at Raj Bhavan Gate Against Forced Removal of ‘Manipur’ from MST Bus

COMMENTS