Hero's welcome accorded to five time World Champion
Promotion, cash award, icing on the cake
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2010: Five times world champion MC Mary Kom has been promoted to the post of Additional SP from DSP in addition to receiving a cash reward of Rs 10 lakhs.

A grand reception function was held today in honour of MC Mary Kom, having earned the sobriquet 'Magnificent Mary' who arrived at Imphal from Delhi today after winning the World Boxing Championship title for the fifth consecutive year at Barbados recently.

Speaking as chief guest at the reception function held at Khuman Lampak, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that he was captivated and wonderstruck on seeing the performance of Mary Kom.

Chief Minister hands over the cheque to Mary Kom and reception on arrival

He announced the promotion of Mary Kom to Addl SP with immediate effect.

The champion boxer was DSP in Manipur Police.

The Chief Minister also gave away Rs 10 lakhs to Mary Kom, a reward which was announced earlier.

The Chief Minister further declared that two acres of land would be provided to the MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy so that the academy can expand and intensify its activities.

Informing that the State Cabinet has already discussed on naming a road after Mary Kom, the Chief Minister iterated that the process of naming the road was not taken up in haste as Mary Kom would be participating in the upcoming Asian Games and London Olympics 2012 .

Just as the State gives befitting honour to Mary Kom for bringing laurels for Manipur as well as India, the SPF Government is ready to give similar recognition to youngsters who can win fame for the State and the country, the Chief Minister stated.

He further exhorted youngsters of the State to work relentlessly.

Notably, the State Government declared halfholiday today in view of the reception function which was presided by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren.

Works Minister K Ranjit, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLAs M Prithiviraj, O Landhoni and Borajao, DGP Y Joykumar, Youth Affairs and Sports Director and distinguished boxing coach Ibomcha attended the function.

At Tulihal Airport, MC Mary Kom was received by Ibomcha together with a large number of fans.

From the airport, Mary Kom was taken to Khuman Lampak in a procession who were cheered by people all along.

The reception function was jointly organised by YAS Dept, SAI Imphal and MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy.

Mary Kom won silver medal in the first edition of Women's World Boxing Championship.

Since then, she has been unbeatable winning all the five subsequent championships.

In the first five championships, Mary Kom competed in 46 Kg category.

She fought in 48 Kg category in the latest championship.

Meanwhile, the champion boxer has been selected to represent India in the upcoming Asian Games in 51 Kg category.

She is also preparing for the London Olympics 2012.Incidentally, before the controversial selection trial held on September 22, L Sarita was preparing to represent India in 51 Kg category at Gwangju Asian Games.

But after the latest trial, Mary Kom replaced Sarita.

Contending that Mary Kom was selected without any valid reason by conducting a second trial while keeping the results of the trial held at Bhopal in August as confidential in which the name of Mary Kom was reportedly absent, Sarita has been demanding another trial in front of media within a week.

Sarita has even declared that she would not represent India ever again and surrender Arjuna Award in case the Indian Boxing Federation fails to look into her grievances within the deadline set.