Mary Kom acknowledges support from State : Hockey players set eyes on Rio
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 05 2014 : A grand reception organised by family members, fans and Hockey Manipur was accorded to hockey players Kh Kothajit and K Chinglensana at Tulihal airport today.

The Indian hockey team won the gold at the just concluded Asian Games, defeating Pakistan in the final.

Speaking to newsmen after their arrival here, Kothajit said that though they have qualified for the Olympics more efforts would be put in for the 2016 Olympics scheduled to be held at Rio.

The two players were part of the hockey team which won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking to the media, Chinglensana said that the gold this time will stand out, though he has been part of the team that won the silver in the Commonwealth Games.

He added that it would be more encouraging if players like him could be provided jobs by the State Government.

On the other hand supporters and family members gathered in droves at the airport to welcome MC Mary Kom today.

The three gold medallists at Imphal airport

Mary Kom clinched a gold medal at the recently concluded 17th Asian Games 2014 at Incheon, South Korea, making her the first Indian woman boxer to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.

Her gold in boxing is the first since Dingko Singh won the same at the Asian Games in 1998 .

Mary defeated Kazakhstan's Zhaina Sherkerbekova in the flyweight (51 kg) summit clash on September 30 by a score of 2-0 in an absorbing battle in which her opponent had the initial advantage.

Mary worked her strategy carefully and managed to dominate the game in the end.

The reception programme was also attended by officials of Sports Authority of India (SAI), State boxing association and other fellow sportspersons.

A cultural Komrem dance was also showcased to welcome the international boxer to her home State.

On being congratulated of her success, a triumphant Mary expressed her happiness over the support she had received from the people of the State which enabled her to bring laurels for the State as well as the country.

On the other hand, she expressed sadness about L Sarita Devi's controversial defeat in the semi finals at the hands of a Korean boxer.

Mary termed it as disappointing and claimed that the defeat was due to the judges' unfair treatment towards Sarita.

On the other hand, president of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) General Headquarters, Paotin Lupheng and president of ATSUM, Emboi Serto accorded a victory reception to Asian Games gold medallist Mary Kom at her residence here today.

Paotin Lupheng said that the 'magnificent' victory of Mary Kom at the Incheon Asian Games proves that she is going to stay in the ring for a lot more years.

"She is truly the 'Queen of the Ring,'" P Lupheng said while strongly hoping that the boxer mine more gold in the next Olympics.

At the same time, the KSO (Ghqs) and ATSUM also expressed solidarity to boxer Laishram Sarita while also expressing desire that people of the State accept and treat the bronze she won as 'Gold' as she was cheated of her rightful medal.