With the objective to highlight the originality of Thang-ta, the first ever edition of the State Level Lallong Yendamnaba Tournament 2022 was held at Khurai Puthiba Community Hall in Imphal East.
The two-day tournament concluded on Saturday, with Wangkhei MLA Th Arunkumar distributing prizes and citations to the winners of different categories.
It was jointly organised by Malem Apunba Thang Ta Maheikol and Peoples’ Development Society under the sponsorship of USHA Play, Usha International Limited.
Talking to the media on the sideline of the event, JNMDA Guru Rosen Longjamba lamented that Thang-ta was losing its originality as it is now considered more of a sport.
The main objective of the tournament is to raise awareness on the originality of the Thang-ta to the people of Manipur, he said, adding that Lalong Yendamnaba was practiced regularly during the time of the fore-fathers as per the history.
Keeping the youths away from abusive substances by engaging in such healthy and traditional martial arts is also a motto of the tournament, he added.
As many as 74 Thang-ta artists from across the state participated in the tournament.
