Imphal, March 24: Manipur delivered an outstanding performance at the 28th Sub-Junior National Championship 2026 held in Ranchi from March 23 to 27, clinching gold medals in both boys’ and girls’ team events.
In the boys’ team event, Manipur showcased complete dominance throughout the tournament. The team defeated Assam (3-0), Kerala (3-0), and Uttar Pradesh (3-0) in the league stages. In the semi-final, Manipur overcame Nagaland (2-0) to secure a place in the final.
In the final played today, Manipur defeated Bihar (2-0). In the first regu, Manipur won convincingly with scores of 15-11 and 15-9. The second regu also saw a strong performance, with Manipur sealing the match 15-12 and 15-13, thereby securing the gold medal.
In the girls’ team event, Manipur continued its winning momentum. The team defeated Jharkhand (3-0), registered a walkover against Nagaland, and edged past Maharashtra (2-1) in earlier rounds. In the semi-final played on March 23, Manipur beat Assam (2-0) to enter the final.
In the final held on March 24, Manipur defeated Maharashtra (2-0) to claim the gold. In the first regu, Manipur fought back after losing the opening set (15-17) to win the next two sets (15-10, 15-10). The second regu was dominated by Manipur, winning 15-10 and 15-5.
On behalf of the All Manipur Sepak Takraw Association (AMSTA), General Secretary Ch. Gestkant conveyed his heartfelt congratulations. He described the double gold victory as a proud moment for the state and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young athletes. He further added that the association is fully prepared to accord a warm welcome to the victorious teams upon their return, recognizing their remarkable achievement and inspiring future generations.
It may be mentioned that the team events have now concluded, while the Regu Event and Quad Event for both boys and girls have already commenced, with competitions currently in progress.
