MOA felicitates state's Tokyo Olympians
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 29 2021:
Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) felicitated sportspersons of Manipur, who represented the country at the recently held Tokyo Olympic Games in a function organised at Hotel Classic Grande, here on Sunday.
MOA president MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, who presided over the function, said that several talented sportspersons of the state are unable to achieve their goal due to lack of supporters and promoters.
Manipur could be compared with Israel considering its potential and the state needs supporters who could channelise the innate talents of the youth.
With such support system, the state can produce many more Olympic medallists, he said.
Pointing out that since advent of modern Olympics, India has been able to win gold 10 medals so far with men's hockey team contributing eight, one gold won in shooting and Neeraj Chopra'srecent feat at the Tokyo Game in javelin throw,, he said there is strong need to keep the flame burning and produce more Olympic medallists.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic that led to trust deficit among the people, the hard-working players of the state brought a new ray of hope and pride among the people of the state.
Their victory brought a moment of joy to the crisis hit people, he added.
Saikhom Mirabai, who won India's first silver medal on the very first day of the Olympics, said that getting the opportunity to participate in an Olympic Games is a big achievement for every player.
It was her hard work and fate that led to winning a medal in the Tokyo Olympic.
She also expressed her belief that one can win medal in Olympics with hard work and relentless efforts without losing hope.
She thanked Manipur Olympic Association, the people of the state and her family members for their support and prayer which helped her in achieving the goal.
She then appealed to all to continue their support so that she could bring more laurels for the state in her future endeavours.
With such love and support, the state will be able to produce more and more Olympic medallists, she opined and vowed to give her best to win gold medal in Paris Olympics in 2024 .
Judoka Likmabam Sushila said that encouragement shown by the state government and the people towards the Olympians motivate them to work harder.
Though she could not bring any medal from Tokyo, she will work hard to bring home a medal from Paris Olympics in 2024, Sushila said.
Among others, MOA senior vice-presidents GA Ibopishak and K Baruni and secretary general Sunil Elangbam also attended the function.