IMPHAL, Jul 27: In a historic event today Imphal city became part of a select few places to host the Queen’s Baton Relay which is to culminate in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October this year. The Imphal leg of the relay was a huge success today with people in the city thronging the route of the baton relay to watch their favorite sports icons carry the baton through the streets.

Meanwhile, the state chief minister has said that the state government as a part of encouraging sportspersons has been providing various facilities for outstanding personalities in the field of sports till today.

Chief minister O Ibobi Singh was speaking during the formal flagging off ceremony of the Queen’s Baton Relay held this afternoon at the historic Kangla Fort.

The chief minister while speaking to the gathering expressed pride at the presence of many well known players in the state and said that Manipur though a small state is now known internationally due to outstanding personalities in games and sports.

He said the state could produce players in different events in both international and national level and till today the state had been able to produce nine Olympians, two sports personalities had been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and nine the Arjuna Award.

The chief minister further mentioned that considering the sincerity of the players of the state the flag hoisting of Queen’s Baton Relay which carries the message of the ensuing 19th Commonwealth Games which to be hosted by the India at New Delhi from October 3 this year, was organised by the state government today.

It may be mentioned that the Queen’s Baton Relay was flagged off from Buckingham Palace in London on October 29 last year by the messengers carrying the torch lighted from the palace at London. It will cross 70 Commonwealth countries covering a total distance of 1,90,000 kms.

In the meantime, the Queen’s Baton Relay which was flagged off by the chief minister from the Kangla Fort passed through the Western Gate of Kangla and covered the areas of Nitaipat Chuthek, Keishamthong, Moirangkhom bazar, Singjamei Super Market, Mangjil, Kongba, Wangkhei Puja Lampak, Sanjenthong, Kangla Park, IMC office, Khuyathong PCTC, North AOC and finally reached the Khuman Lampak Complex this afternoon covering about 13 kms in Imphal. The relay was attended by various renowned sports personalities of the state who held the baton. The Queen’s Baton Relay will leave Imphal for Aizwal on July 29.

At the Khuman Lampak Indoor Staduim this afternoon performance of cultural items added another flavor to the run.

The state YAS minister N Biren Singh released a Special Cover by the Post and Telegraph department and there was presentation of gifts to the officials of Queen’s Baton Relay. Finally, the evening session was marked closed with the handing over of the baton by the President of the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) to the officials of the Queen’s Baton Relay at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.

The formal function of reception this afternoon was jointly attended by the ministers and MLAs, state’s high ranking officers and officials of the Manipur police along with players of the state.