IMPHAL, August 21: In a subsequent act to claim lost grounds and encourage the sportspersons of the state, the state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today offered jobs to Olympians Laishram Bombayla, Laishram Devendro and Ngangbam Soniya Chanu equivalent to their present postings outside the state.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the state reception programme of London Olympian Bronze medallist Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom and the state London Olympians today.
The reception ceremony was held at the Khuman lampak Indoor stadium after the arrival of the two boxers at the Imphal airport this noon. The two were first taken around the Imphal city led by a group of Manipur Royal Riders.
Soon after making the offer, he urged the three state players to return to the state.
Meanwhile, during individual chats with some select media persons at the end of the function, the three state Olympians ascertained that they would accept the offer if the government is genuine with its promise.
Weightlifter Ng Soniya Chanu said she is presently serving as an Inspector with the Uttar Pradesh police, however after her participation at the London Olympics, she would be promoted to the rank of DSP.
Archer Bombayla is currently a head TT with the Eastern Railways, while pugilist L Devendro is a havildar with the army an presently posted at Pune.
Devendro also said that he will be joining as a Junior Commissioned Officer after his participation at the London Olympics. Devendro also said that even though he would certainly like to come back home it depends on the official sanction of the Indian Army.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister in his opening statement of his address expressed that boxer Mary Kom has now become an asset of the state and the country after her medal winning effort at the Olympic Games.
The Chief Minister also presented the Olympic medal winner with the recently announced Rs 75 lakh cheque and Rs 20 lakh each to the three.
Besides the Rs 75 lakh cash incentive, Mary Kom has also been appointed to the post of Superintendent of Police (Sports).
The CM also announced to provide the required land area at Lamphel for setting up a Mary Kom Regional Boxing Academy under the funding of the North East Council.
He also encouraged the state players to aim for more medals including Gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics and bring laurel to the state.
The Chief Minister also said that even foreign coaches would be engaged by the state government after selecting certain sports disciplines suitable for the state players.
He had also added that the government will upgrade the standards of sportspersons and facilities including the Khuman Lampak Sports complex with the outlay of Rs 100 crores by the 13th Finance Commission and that the government will provide appropriate equipment for the Khuman Lampak sports complex and the mini sports complexes in the coming year.
Meanwhile, MC Mary Kom and L Devendro were accorded a grand welcome at the Imphal Tulihal Airport on their arrival from Delhi.
A huge procession was taken out via Keishamthong-Mayailambi-Pishumthong-Singjamei-Moirangkhom-Secretariat-Wahengbam Leikai-Dingku Road-Telepati and concluded at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
Today’s reception ceremony was organized by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Manipur Amateur Boxing Association, Manipur.
State boxing coaches M Narjit Singh, L Ibomcha Singh, L Kishan Singh of boxing, L Anita Chanu, A Ranjan Singh of weightlifting, Ch Santa Devi and N Jamini Devi of Archery were also feted during the function.