Medals were won, obstacles were overcome and friends were made over the course of seven days, with the 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 concluding in Shillong today with a memorable closing ceremony.
Manipur were named the overall champions, defending their crown from NEOG 2018. Manipur finished with 88 gold, 75 silver and 77 bronze medals, with Assam in second place (79G, 61S, 63B).
They faced a strong challenge up to the final day, but Arunachal Pradesh kept third place with 39 gold, 36 silver and 37 bronze medals.
Hosts Meghalaya, however, were standout performers this year, rising from sixth place in 2018 to fourth this year. Four years ago the State won just three gold medals but today finished these Games with 36 gold, which is 12 times as many as last time, along with 35 silver and 78 bronze.
Chief guest and chief patron of the Games, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma presented the overall champions trophy to Manipur, the runners-up trophy to Assam and the third place trophy to Arunachal Pradesh. The flag of the NEOG was handed over to Kharshiing, who presented it to the Chef de Mission of Nagaland, Neilyalie Angami, as the next host of the NEOG.
“These North East Olympic Games have not only raised the bar in terms of infrastructure and arrangements but the performances of our athletes have been out of this world…That is the most satisfying thing about these Games and I am proud to see the level of talent we have in the North East. I am also proud to be able to hold Games at a level that is comparable to anywhere else in the country. This was only possible because everyone worked as a team. These Games have proven that if you work as a team and dedicate yourself then nothing is impossible,” Sangma said.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh meanwhile, said that “Meghalaya is on the move with more sports mega events in the coming years.” He also congratulated the top three states and praised the Meghalaya contingent, especially the athletics team, which topped their discipline.
Meghalaya State Olympic Association general secretary Finely Pariat speaking on the growth of sports in Meghalaya said, “The seed has been sown by the government and we shall nurture it. No doubt, with the talent we have in our State, we will see national and international champions in the near future.”
The closing ceremony featured a number of the bright, young musical acts, such as Ahlyna, Gracel Ropmay, Banjop, Lamphang Syiemlieh and closed with a stunning fireworks display and concert that continued well into the evening, to the great enjoyment of the thousands of athletes present, who did not let the previous week’s exhausting performances get in their way of dancing.
Others present included cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Meghalaya State Planning Board chairman Abdus Saleh, Rambrai MLA Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang, Chief Secretary Donald P. Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr Vijay Kumar D, Director General of Meghalaya Police Lajja Ram Bishnoi and Secretary General of the North East Olympic Association John F. Kharshiing.
