International taekwondo player Joypriya takes the oath on behalf of the participants during the opening ceremony of the North East Games at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday. Telegraph picture

Imphal, April 8: Manipur and Assam are taking part in the 27th North East Games and are sending a 223-member contingent each, highest among the eight participating states, including Sikkim.

Altogether 1,303 athletes are taking part in the meet.

Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh opened the games at a colourful opening ceremony in the main stadium of Khuman Lampak sports complex here today.

Ibobi Singh said there is plenty of sporting talent in the Northeast yet to be harnessed. He said if this talent is tapped, India can win more medals at international events and even in the Olympics.

He hoped the Northeast games would help tap this potential.

The athletes would participate in badminton, boxing, football, hockey, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting and wushu during the five-day long event.

Manipur won three gold, two silver and a bronze; Assam bagged a gold and a silver and two bronze; Nagaland got a gold and a silver; Tripura claimed a silver and two bronze, Arunachal bagged a gold and a bronze, and Mizoram won a silver.