The Women Sports Festival 2023 that witnessed hundreds of women participants from different villages in Tamenglong district, Manipur, celebrated women empowerment with the message of social justice and promotion of indigenous games of the Zeliangrong community.
The second edition of the two-day festival, which began under the theme "Building Gender Equal World through Sports" at Mini Stadium Apollo Ground, Tamenglong district HQ, Manipur, showcased indigenous games, including "Goh-Toumei".
The Women Sports Festival is organised with an effort to spread the message of women empowerment and social justice through sportsmanship spirit, also to promote the rich culture, beautiful traditional wears and showcase indigenous games and sports to promote peace and unity in the community. It aims to bring all women of different villages together, the organiser said speaking to the Imphal Free Press..
The closing ceremony of the festival on Tuesday was attended by Tamenglong Baptist Church Deaconess Apuiliu R Panmei as chief guest. On the occasion, she stressed upon gender equality, particularly in the field of sports.
Citing the case of international sports personality Mary Kom, who hailed from a poor background in Manipur, Panmei said: "If you have a strong willpower and work hard you can represent India at the national and international level".
Bringing the curtain down on the festival by reading out a portion of the scripture from the Holy Bible, she urged the particpants to use their talent for God's glory.
The 3rd Women Sports Festival will be held after three years in 2026, UWOT president Aduanliu Pamei said.
The sports festival, organised by the United Women Organisation Tamenglong (UWOT) and supported by the Henry Martin Institute, was sponsored by local MLA Janghemlung Panmei and the Indigenous Women and Children Foundation (IWCF) Tamenglong.
The UWOT expressed gratitude to all the participants and the people of Tamenglong for the “showers of support and encouragement” that they received in organizing the event.
Also Read: Tamenglong Women Sports Festival 2023 kicks off in traditional colours
