Security tight as Games draws nearer

President KR Narayanan, who will inaugurate the Games at the 20,000 capacity main stadium in the Khuaman Lampak Sports Complex, is scheduled to reach here tomorrow and two major militant outfits have declared a boycott of his visit added to extra-tight vigil.

The underground groups had announced they would place no hurdle in the conduct of the games in this militancy-infested state, but the revolutionary people’s front (RPF) and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak have announced the boycott of the reception for the President planned tomorrow on hisarrival.

A massive turnout of 7,000 athletes and accompanying officials, apart from 1250 technical officials expected for the Games have already started arriving.

Most of the athletes are being transported by road from the Nagaland town of Dimapur with armed escort, after reaching there by train from various parts of the country.

“Everything is more or less in place and finally we are going ahead with the games. All equipment to be used here are the latest,” said CM Muthiah, adviser for the fifth Games.

Muthiah said there was likelihood of the boxing competition, scheduled from February 15 to 20, being put off by four days as work on the second ring was yet to be over.

The main stadium will host athletics and final stages of the football competition apart from the opening and closing ceremonies.

The velodrome for cycling, a very popular sport in Manipur, the swimming pool, which is only one of the two in India which adhers to the latest international norm of needing 25 metre width are among thevenues within the main complex.

The shooting range, another feature event among the 27 medal disciplines at the Games, is also located within the same complex.

The DM College Campus, Sai Indoor Hall, Manipur University Auditorium and the Loktak Lake — about an hour’s drive from the main venue — which will be venue for the water sports of rowing and canoeing and kayaking, are the other major facilities that will be used.