Four Olympians feted, Kothajit sidelined
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 19, 2012:
The State Government today rolled out red carpet and gave a hearty felicitation to Mary Kom, who won Bronze medal in Women's Boxing (51 Kg) in the just concluded London Olympics as well as to three other State Olympians who represented India in different disciplines.
Surprisingly, the State Government totally sidelined State Olympian Khadangbam Kothajit, who too represented India in Hockey.
Kothajit was not even invited in the reception function organized by Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at the Indoor Stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex today.
During the function, Olympic Bronze medalist Mary Kom was awarded Rs 75 lakhs and the other State Olympians namely Laishram Devendro, Laishram Bombayla and Ngangbam Soniya were awarded Rs 20 lakhs each.
Apart from promoting Mary Kom to the rank of SP (Sports), the Chief Minister had also earlier announced 3 acres of land at Langol Tarung for the development of the boxing academy being run by Mary Kom.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that it is indeed a blessing for the State that Mary Kom brought home a Bronze medal from London Olympics while L Bombayla, L Devendro and Ng Soniya did well, though could not win any medal.
The Chief Minister said that if at all Bombayla, Devendro and Soniya, who are currently working in other states, desire to work in the State; suitable government jobs which are not below the status of their current jobs would be provided.
Ibobi also assured that the State Government would give all support to Kh Kothajit, who was placed in the reserved list of Indian Hockey team.
Since he didn't play in any of the matches during London Olympics, there have been some controversies over whether he should be regarded as an Olympian or not.
As such, he has not been invited to attend the function today, to which the government feels equally sorry.
However, the State Government will certainly organize a reception function in his honour.
Appealing to the sportspersons of the state to perform better in future Olympics, the Chief Minister said that for the welfare of sportspersons in the state, an amount of Rs 100 crores has been allocated for the development of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
The State Government has also submitted a detail project report to NEC for the construction of a Regional Boxing Academy.
Bijoy Koijam, President of Manipur Olympic Association, who presided over the function, also gave a sum of Rs 1 lakh to Mary Kom and Rs 25,000 each to L Bombayla, L Devendro and Ng Soniya.
The function was also attended by Speaker Th Lokeshwar, Home Minister Gaikhangam, MLA Landhoni as presidium members.
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