IMPHAL, August 11: Junior Women World Cup Bronze winning India Hockey team’s captain Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu and her team mates Thokchom Pinky (Defender), Lily Chanu Mayengbam (Forward) and N Sanarik Chanu (Goalkeeper) were honoured and presented mementos at a simple function held today at D M College Indoor Stadium organized by Manipur Hockey.
The function was attended by Manipur Olympic Association president Bijoy Koisam,Manipur Hockey president Olympian Thoiba and other officials, players and coaches of Manipur Hockey.
After the function, a press meet was held at the residence of captain P Sushila Chanu at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai.
Speaking to the media, Captain P Sushila Chanu said that after 38 years India hockey team got a medal at the international level.
She further said that the state government had announced reward of Rs 2 lakh each for the state players after reaching here only, which she thinks that, was little late as Haryana government had announced to award its players when they were in Germany.
She said that they would have been very happy if the state government announced the rewards a little earlier as it would have shown the moral support from the state. As a player, moral support is very much required, she said.
She called the attention of the government to set up more facilities for young players. She said around 80 to 90 players who are taking training under Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur (PHAM) are training at a ground at Kairang Mamang Leikai as PHAM do not have its own turf ground.
Thokchom Pinky, speaking to the media expressed her disappointment saying that more emphasis is given to the male player. She further said that compare with other state, our state lacks in extending moral support to the players.
She also said that foreign coaches trained them with extra techniques, ideas to face other teams which also help them in winning the medal.
Speaking to the media person, Lily chanu said that speed is very important in hockey. She pays more attention to gain more speed. She also promises to improve herself in the next competitions.
N Sanarik Chanu said that after winning this bronze medal, she has gain more confidence to win more medals in the upcoming games.
Meanwhile, Thangmeiband Youth Centre (THYC), Peace & Humanity Labour Youth Organisation (PHLYO) and Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation (TAKDO) jointly organized a reception ceremony for P Sushila Chanu at Ibendhou Mawam Lairembi Community Hall at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai today.
The function was attended by Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykishan, THYC president Yambem Ibotombi Singh, PHLYO president Th Budha Singh, TAKDO president Mutum Rajendro and Sushila’s father P Shamsunder Singh and mother P Lata Devi as presidium members.
Around 200 locals attended the function.
MLA Kh Joykishan handed over the sum of Rs 30,000 to Sushila today at the function as announced earlier.