IMPHAL, June 5: As of now, only 12 people from the state have reportedly registered as spectators of London Olympic Games 2012 scheduled to commence on July 27.
In all, 8.8 million tickets have been arranged for the Summer Olympic Games, the third time to be held in London. London has successfully hosted the Games in 1908 and another in 1948. A total of 1.7 million people from across the globe have already bought tickets to watch the international event.
However, only 12 people from the state have so far been registered through Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) for the Games, Laishram Manglem, secretary of MOA told IFP on Tuesday. Among them MOA president Bijoy Koijam, ex-MLA of Thongju constituency and Manglem are included.
He said most of the registered spectators are from the families of the state sportspersons who are participating in the XXX Olympiad. Four sportspersons from the state have been officially qualified for the event.
They are Laishram Bombella (archery), MC Mary Kom (boxing), Devendra (boxing) and Sonia Chanu (weightlifting). But, expectations are high that Chinglensana and Kothajit, both hockey players might join the Indian hockey team.
Asked about the policy taken by the state government for the four players, Manglem said nothing has been done so far. However, the players of Indian archery team which is now undergoing training in Sikkim has been given Rs one lakh each by the Chief Minister of that state to encourage them, the MOA secretary said.
There are four archers including one male player in the Indian archery team.
The London Olympic Games will continue for 17 days.
