THE opening ceremony of the multi-ethnic cultural exchange event, under the patronage of the Kachin State Government, was held yesterday morning at the Convocation Hall of Myitkyina University in Kachin State.
Member of the State Security and Peace Commission and Union Minister for Border Affairs and for Ethnic Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Electric Power U Nyan Tun, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, the Kachin State Chief Minister and officials attended the ceremony.
Initially, the Union Ministers, the State Chief Minister, members of the Central Advisory Body of the National Defence and Security Council, the Chief Justice of the State High Court, and the Chairman of the Association of Myanmar-China-India Exchange and Flow of Goods formally opened the multi-ethnic cultural exchange event. Following this, the State Chief Minister extended greetings.
Subsequently, students from Basic Education High School No 6 performed traditional dances. They were followed by performances from a total of 22 dance troupes, showcasing traditional songs and narrative dances from the region’s indigenous groups. These included the six Kachin sub-tribes, the five Shan sub-tribes, as well as ethnic groups coexisting in the region such as the Bamar, Kayin, Rakhine, and Chin, alongside cultural groups representing the Chinese, Gurkha, and Sikh communities.
After the performances, Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae presented a total honorary award of K1 million to each to the 22 dance troupes.
In the afternoon, the Union Ministers, the State Chief Minister, and officials attended the final and award ceremony of the Kachin State Ethnic Affairs Minister’s Cup Multi-Ethnic Men’s Open Football Tournament, held at the Myitkyina People’s Sports Ground.
In a tightly contested final, the Zaiwa tribe football team played against the Lacheik tribe football team, with the Zaiwa team claiming the championship title with a 3-2 victory.
The State Minister for Ethnic Affairs awarded the third-place team, the Lhaovo tribe, with individual medals and an honorary award of K1 million. The State Chief Minister then presented the runners-up, the Lacheik tribe, with individual medals and an honorary award of K2 million. Finally, Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae presented the first-place team, the Zaiwa tribe, with individual medals, an honorary award of K3 million, and the championship trophy. — Kachin State IPRD/KZL
