08-Dec-2008 124
The 22nd State Powerliftinting Championship concluded with the distinction of setting 70 new meet records at Utkal Karate School campus in Bhubaneswar today.
The three-day championship, organised by Utkal Karate School, under the aegis of Orissa Powrlifting Association (OPA), however, created the most important record by roping in Indian Olympic Association (IOA) General Secretary Raja Randhir Singh as the chief guest for the closing function.
Randhir Singh, who was in Bhubaneswar to join the marriage ceremony of his nephew and Orissa Powerlifting Association president Kalikesh Narayan Sihgh Deo, gave away the trophy and prizes at the function. He also felicitated the medal winning international lifters of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, the IOA General Secretary, exhorted Orissa Olympic Association to bid for the National Games. ``If states like Manipur and Assam can host the National Games, why not Orissa,`` he wondered.
``Because of the National Games, top class infrastructure facilities have come up in Assam, Manipur, Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka. And because of National Games, these states have been able to produce many international sportspersons,`` he pointed out.
Khurda district won the team title with 612 points, while Bolangir finished runners-up with
415 points.
Iswar Machhkund (Rourkela Steel Plant) and Mandakini Mahanta (Mayurbhanj) were adjudged as the `Strongman` and `Strongwoman` of the three-day championship.
East Coast Railway Sports Association president D K Samantaray, OPA seceretary Chitta Ranjan Swain and Utkal Karate School founder Hari Prasad Pattanayak were other eminent personalities, who spoke on the occasion.
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