Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh has exhorted that sport does not discriminate on the lines of caste or creed but serves as a common platform to excel and bring a sense of brotherhood.

He made the remark while opening the 64th National School Games 2018 in fencing for under-14 and 17 boys and girls at indoor stadium, Khuman Lampak, on Tuesday.

Altogether 19 teams from 15 states, two Union Territories, CBSE schools and the International Board School Sports Organisation are participating in the meet. A total of 730 fencers will participate in the four-day event.

Manipur along with Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have the most participants with 48 fencers each.

The chief minister said despite its small population, Manipur is regarded as the powerhouse of sport in the country.

Wishing the fencers, Biren Singh said sports does not discriminate caste, creed or religion but only talent and hard work determine the outcome.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister witnessed the march past by the school fencers. International fencer Khusboo Rani Laishram took the oath for the fencers.

Youth affairs and sports minister Letpao Haokip also attended the opening ceremony.