IMPHAL, October 8: Heingang legislator Nongthombam Biren has praised the people of Heignang for producing ten players and a coach to represent India at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
At a function for receiving the 11 individuals who participated at the 17th Asian Games in his residence at Luwangsangbam this morning, he praised the spirit of sportsmanship of the players from his Kendra as well as Manipur.
India has a population of 121 Crores but Manipur populated by only around 27 lakh people could send a 62 strong sports contingent in the 17th Asian games for India to contest the 45 countries of Asia. Among the 62 individuals, 11 from Heingnang represented the country, said N Biren.
He said Heingang has a gold medalist in Kothajit who was a key player of the Indian Hockey team and a coach who helped the Indian Archery team to claim gold.
We send three men and three women Sepak Takraw players, a woman footballer, a woman canoeing player, a woman kayaking player and a woman Judo player, he added.
Biren said credit for our Kendra sending the maximum number of players must go to the Heingang Kendra Sporting Union which was established with the dream of producing good international players from the Kendra.
In sports, participation is important than winning medals because no medals can be won without participation, he added.
He also assured that he will try to provide job opportunities under the sport policy of the State to medal winners in international and national events of the Kendra.
Biren condemned the Indian Olympic Association for not supporting L Sarita and L Devendro despite receiving dubious jury decisions and its officials for being absent at the moment of raising a complaint and its biased attitude.