KMMA Seven Clans seek assistance for MMA fighters
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 27 2022:
Asserting that MMA fighters of Manipur are bringing medals from several national and international level events, Kangleipak Mixed Martial Arts (KMMA) Seven Clans has drawn the attention of the government towards providing assistance to the MMA fighters of the state, most of whom are from poor families.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Chib here on Tuesday, KMMA chairman Ayam Meiraba Khuman said that most of the MMA fighters, who represent the state or the country at several national and international level events, have brought medals.
They also organise MMA events under the name Chainaba every year to promote the close combat sports in the state.
One of the emerging MMA fighters of the state is Homeshwari Khaidem of Lamsang, who has not only won gold at a national event held in Mumbai recently but also won the MMA pro-fighter of the year 2022 title in the event.
She along with other fighters also won gold medals in the MMA event held in Kolkata hosted by World Muay Thai Council.
These players were felicitated by Lamsang MLA S Rajen and chief minister N Biren himself on different occasions.
However, these fighters often face financial issues whenever there is a national or international event.
Their family members find it hard to collect funds to send their children to such events, he said and urged the chief minister and the youth affairs & sports department to recognise MMA as a potential sport for the state players and provide financial assistance through a scheme or policy.
Apart from Homeshwari, other players like PS Wan-graningam, Ring Kamei, Laishram Roshan, Thongam Nelson, Sonali Kongkham, Rohit Wahengbam and Maibam Michael are emerging players of the state, who have won several medals and bagged the team champions' title, he added.
KMMA Seven Clans coach Nandeibam Frank said that the institute was established in 2017 and has been sending fighters to several national and international events every year since 2018.They have also organised several international events without any assistance from the government.
As most of the players are from poor families, who could not afford the fees for training and as a result, the institute is also facing fund constraint, he said, while drawing attention of the government to arrange schemes for providing financial assistance to MMA fighters considering the hardships face by the players and increasing popularity of the sports.