Tripura has carved a niche for itself in the national sports arena, earning recognition and acclaim for its athletes and infrastructure, said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha. He added, with continuous development and focus on player excellence, the state is scaling new heights. Judo, as a sport, not only builds physical strength but also fosters discipline and mental resilience.
Dr. Saha made the statement after he inaugurated the Under-17 Girls’ Judo event at the 68th National School Games on Thursday at NSRCC, near Netaji Chowmuhani, Agartala.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister emphasized the importance of hosting such events to inspire and nurture young talent.
The event was organized by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department of the Tripura Government, in collaboration with the Tripura School Sports Board.
Dr. Saha expressed his gratitude to the organizing team for successfully bringing a national-level competition to the state.
“It is a matter of great pride to host this prestigious event. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the School Games Federation of India for entrusting Tripura with this opportunity. Judo is not just a sport; it strengthens the body and instills discipline, which is essential for personal and professional growth,” he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted Tripura’s consistent success in judo at the national school games, noting that athletes from the state have been securing medals year after year. He lauded the efforts of the School Sports Board in organizing competitions from the block to the state level, ensuring active participation of students in the under-14, under-17, and under-19 categories.
He expressed confidence that the state’s athletes would achieve remarkable success in this year’s competition as well.
Dr. Saha also outlined the infrastructure advancements in the state, including judo training facilities at Tripura Sports School in Badharghat, Panisagar, Khumulwng, and NSRCC.
He encouraged participants, their guardians, and coaches to explore Tripura’s rich cultural and natural heritage during their stay and requested the organizers to facilitate their visits to prominent tourist destinations.
The event saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Department Secretary P.K. Chakraborty, Director Satyabrata Nath, and Padma Shri recipient Dipa Karmakar, among others.
During the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister honored national-level award-winning athletes and former sports personalities from the state. He also motivated the participants, wishing them success in the competition.
Athletes from around 27 states are participating in this prestigious national event, which will run for four days until December 15.
(Tripura, Northeast)
