Curtain raiser for 2nd North East Olympic Games held

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 26, 2022

The Curtain Raiser to the 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 was held on Monday at Pinewood Hotel Banquet Hall.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said having the 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 in Meghalaya this year is apt as the State celebrates the Golden Jubilee of Statehood.

“As we celebrate 50 years of Statehood having the 2nd North East Olympic Games in Meghalaya will not only add to the festivities but also provide the athletes and sportspersons of the State to showcase their talents,” he said.

Sangma said that to win a medal at the National Games and even the Olympics the youth of the State have to be identified and trained early.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also launched the Logo and Mascot of the North East olympic Games. Launch of the North East Olympic Games 2022 website, release of North East Olympic Games Booklet, release of findings of Mass Talent Identification programme and distribution of cheques to State Sports Associations to hold coaching and training camps for the North East Olympic Games 2022 were the other highlights of the Curtain Raiser.

12 athletes who will be participating in the 36th National Games 2022 in Gujarat were also felicitated and accorded a warm send off.

The North East Olympic Games is an expression of solidarity by the North Eastern states.

The first edition was held in Manipur in 2018. The second edition of the games are scheduled to be held in Shillong from the 10th to 16th November 2022.

The events are set to be a revival of the games after the pandemic with over 3000 athletes competing in 18 sporting disciplines.

It may be worth mentioning here that the official games logo is driven by solidarity and is shaped similar to the map of the North Eastern region. Neo or the North East Olympic Games mascot is inspired by the clouded leopard, the state animal of Meghalaya which is also a vulnerable species. The attire worn by Neo is a fusion of the culture of the prominent tribes of Meghalaya.