IMPHAL, Sep 25: The five-time World Women’s Boxing champion, MC Mary Kom was given a grand welcome today by the people of Manipur with lots of cheers and accolades.
Mary Kom arrived at the Imphal Airport today at around 9:45 am where she was received by a large number of people including eminent sportspersons, state officials and her fans.
All through the way from the airport to Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, a large number of people standing at the road-sides cheered the ‘Magnificent Mary’ on her grand success at the 6th World Women’s Boxing Championship, 2010, recently held at Barbados.
A grand reception function jointly organized by the YAS department, SAI NERC and Mary Kom Boxing Academy was held today at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium with the state chief minister O. Ibobi as the chief guest and YAS minister N. Biren as the president.
Congratulating Mary Kom on her recent success at the 6th World Women’s Boxing Championship held at Barbados, the chief minister announced Mary Kom’s promotion to Additional Superintendent of Police from the present rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Manipur Police department and handed over the cash incentive award of Rs. 10 lakhs to her at the function.
The chief minister further announced that two acres of land at Langol area would also be allotted for the expansion of Mary Kom Boxing Academy which is presently training a number of young talented boxers of the state.
Ibobi also said that all possible assistance would be provided to Mary Kom in her preparations for the upcoming Guangzhou Asian Games and London Olympic Games in 2012.
He further maintained that the state is proud to have such a remarkable lady like Mary Kom who has set a great name in the world of women’s boxing, and added that she is an iconic player of the whole nation.
Delivering the presidential speech, YAS minister N. Biren stated that Mary Kom has achieved so much in women’s boxing that she could be regarded as a ‘legend’ like the king of football, Maradona.
He also stated that the state government has been working to promote games and sports even in the remotest parts of the state by constructing a number of mini-stadium complexes in every district.
Speaking at the reception function, Mary Kom expressed gratitude to all who have helped her achieve the titles and said that the money from various incentive awards will be utilized in providing free coaching to young children at her own academy.
She also appealed to the state government to provide necessary help and assistance to her till she realized her dreams at the London Olympic Games of 2012, and requested the people of the state to pray for her to clinch gold medal at the Olympic Games.
The reception function was also attended by power minister Phunzathang Tonsing, works minister K. Ranjit, TD minster DD Thaisii, MLA Landhoni, MLA Borajao and MLA Prithiviraj as the guests of honour.
It may be mentioned that Mary Kom, a mother of twin boys, has so far bagged 15 gold medals and two silver medals in various international competitions and 11 gold medals at the national level competitions.
Mary Kom has also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjun Award, Padmashree and many other awards and honours from NDTV, CNN-IBN, and MTV.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi of Sadar Hills has congratulated Mary Kom on her grand success at the 6th World Women’s Boxing Championship, 2010, held at Barbados.
Source: Imphal Free Press
The best boxer Manipur has ever produce. Keep on winning medals. We are proud of you and make us proud in the years to come.
Well cum home…. Respected mary, u make us proud….