Traditional Chinlone Competition: Inter-Ministerial Traditional Chinlone Competition opened

The opening ceremony of the "2026 Inter-Ministerial Traditional Chinlone Competition," jointly organized by the Ministry of Sports, the Department of Sports and Physical Education, and the Myanmar Traditional Chinlone Federation, was held Wednesday morning at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium (A) in Nay Pyi Taw. The Chairman of the Myanmar Olympic Committee Union Minister for Sports, U Ye Myint Tun, attended and delivered the opening speech. In his opening address, Union Minister stated that the inter-ministerial sports competitions are held with the objectives of fostering greater friendship and teamwork among ministries and organizations, promoting the traditional Myanmar sport of Chinlone to become more deeply embedded in the public consciousness year by year, and to elevate it to the world stage in line with the saying "Chinlone originates from Myanmar"; developing the traditional sport of Chinlone, nurturing a new generation of talented athletes and preserving and promoting it as a heritage of Myanmar traditional culture while strengthening patriotic spirit. Subsequently, the Union Minister for Sports, together with other Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and the Patron and Chairman of the Myanmar Traditional Chinlone Federation, presented 1.4 million kyats of cash honor in total—one million kyats each to the 14 participating teams, 300,000 kyats to the drum and bugle team from Basic Education High School No. 6 for their support and 3 million kyats to the referees who will officiate the competition. He then greeted the participating teams, and the ceremony was concluded. Afterward, the Union Ministers and responsible officials watched and encouraged the day's competition matches, which included the 6-hoop category (Men's) matches between the Ministry of Electricity and Energy team and the Ministry of Science and Technology team, as well as the Ministry of Labour team and the Ministry of Religious Affairs team.