Ignored by Govt, Kh Kothajit gets rousing welcome from locals
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 22 2012: "It was due to politics in Indian Hockey and lack of support that I was not able to play in any of the Hockey matches for India in London Olympics" lamented Khadrangbam Kothajit, the Manipuri lad, who is part of the India hockey team selected for the just concluded London Olympics.

Khadrangbam Kothajit arrived at Imphal today.

He was welcomed at Tulihal Airport by a huge crowd, who drove him in a grand procession till his home at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai.

Although the State government questioned his Olympian status and totally ignored him from even inviting to the recent felicitation function of state Olympians, Kothajit was accorded a rousing welcome by his local people.

Local MLA N Biren, who was present at the felicitation function, presented a cash reward of Rs 50,000 to encourage the state Olympian.

Khadrangbam Kothajit arrived at Imphal today

Pouring out his heart to the huge gathering, Kothajit said that he did not expect to get such warm welcome.

"If such kind of support is given, I would do my level best in future competitions", he said.

Interacting with media persons on the sideline of the reception function, Kothajit pointed out that there is favouritism and ugly politics in India hockey.

"For players like me who have no one to support, they hardly get chance to play and show their talent even in a single match", Kothajit said, adding that since there was no one for him, he was placed in the stand-by.

On the dismal performance of the Indian hockey team at the Olympics, Kothajit observed that none of the players.

could show their full potentials and it was very disappointing to watch the match from the gallery.

He further informed that he was among the 18 players selected to represent India in London Olympics.

Among the 18 players, 2 of them were placed as stand-bys.

If the selection committee had given attention to players from the North East, there would have been every possibility of India winning medal in the Olympics in Hockey as well.

"I did exceptionally well in the qualifying match and was even placed among the first 11 team.

But unfortunately I was picked up as a stand-by", Kothajit said with bitterness over dirty politics in Indian hockey.

While expressing gratitude to the State government for the incentive awards given to the state Olympians, Kothajit pointed out that such support and encouragement is necessary to support upcoming sportspersons.

"However, sportspersons should not be thinking about cash incentive awards and jobs all the time, but they should play in the true spirit of sportsmanship", Kothajit added.