The Department of Youth Affairs & Sports (YAS), in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, flagged off the “Sangai Run-2025” today as a curtain-raiser to the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival 2025.
N. Ashok Kumar, IAS, Commissioner (Home & Finance), Government of Manipur, formally flagged off the event at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal. A total of 1,500 athletes took part in the run, which was held across three categories — the 5 km Fun Run, 10 km Fitness Run, and the 25 km Open & Veteran competition.
The event was attended by senior officials including Shailesh Kumar Chourasia, Commissioner (Power); Hungyo Worshang, Secretary (Tourism & IPR); Naorem Praveen Singh, Secretary (YAS); Lourembam Bikram, Director (Tourism); M. Pradip Singh, DIG; Dr. Mayengbam Veto Singh, Director (YAS); and L. Nabachandra Singh, Director (Fire Services).
Adding prestige to the occasion, several celebrated sportspersons of Manipur graced the programme, among them Padma Shri N. Kunjarani Devi (Weightlifting), Arjuna Awardee L. Sarita Devi (Boxing), Padma Shri O. Bembem Devi (Football), Olympian Ng. Sonia (Weightlifting), Dhyan Chand Awardee L. Anita Chanu (Weightlifting), and Arjuna Awardee Chinglensana Kangujam (Hockey Olympian).
Participants who completed the run were felicitated, with cash prizes and medals awarded to top finishers. Medals were also presented to all participants.
The Sangai Run aims to build momentum, community spirit, and public engagement ahead of the Manipur Sangai Festival, which returns this year after a two-year hiatus.
