Imphal, November 14 2010: ALL MANIPUR Gymnasium Welfare Association (AMGWA) today felicitated body builder Arambam Bobby, who had won Mr World title by clinching gold medal in the 75 Kg category in the 2nd WBPF World Body Building Championship 2010 held recently in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and IFCD, N Biren, who was the chief guest at the felicitation function held at Kakwa Lairembi ground organized by AMGWA, said that the government would try to give A Bobby a suitable job.

The government has provided employment to Manipuri sportspersons who were employed in other states when they approached the state government with their desire for working in Manipur.

The state government will organize a grand function to felicitate A Bobby very soon, Minister Biren announced.

The delay in felicitating Bobby, who has won Mr World title, from the government's side is due to its preoccupation with the visit of UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi to the state.

Yet the state government has already been prepared to accord Bobby a grand reception.

It's a matter of pride for Manipur that Bobby has won Mr World title, Minister Biren said.

He further said that the government has been taking steps to construct mini sports complexes in the hill districts of Manipur.

The astro turf of the Khuman Lampak hockey stadium is going to be replaced with a new one under the 13th Finance commission.

Steps are also being taken to lay astro turf on the football ground of Rising Athletics' Union (RAU), Khurai for the first time in the North East.

It has been a consistent policy for the state government to encourage sportspersons of Manipur, and the government has so far provided suitable employment to about 140 sportspersons, the Minister said.

Minister Biren expressed hope that such a rare body builder like Arambam Bobby would inspire the youths of Manipur, who have been addicted to drugs, to give up the dangerous habits.

MLA of Langthabal A/C, O Joy, who was a guest of honour at the function, said that it is a very rare occasion that a body builder from Manipur has won Mr World title after 22 years.

He expressed his confidence that Bobby would win in many other big championships too.

It's because of his perseverance and determination that Bobby has been able to win the prestigious Mr World title.

But what's unfortunate is that the state government seems to care less for the sport of body building.

Is it because body building is a non-Olympic Games sport that the government is not bothered much about paying incentives to the body builders, O Joy asked.

MLA of Singjamei A/C, I Hemochandra, who was also a guest of honour on the occasion, said that we should not remain complacent with the achievement of Bobby as the winner of Mr World title.

We should pay more attention to how we can produce boby builders like Arambam Bobby.

He said, body building is a sport which needs a lot of money.

Therefore, we should find sponsors to help the body builders.

Vice president of AMGWA, Nongmeikappam Gojendra presided over the function.

Gifts were presented to Bobby at the function.

Bobby enthralled the gathering by performing a special physical demonstration at the function.

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