YAS stages roll call honours for Olympians
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 21 2021: The State Government felicitated the five athletes from Manipur who represented the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, today.

The reception ceremony organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, Manipur was graced by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti Prahlad Singh Patel and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Letpao Haokip as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Ministers - Th Biswajit, Awangbow Newmai, S Rajen, O Lukhoi, Th Satyabrata, Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly K Robindro, Manipur Olympic Association president Th Radheshyam, Tokyo Olympians, Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam, Gymnastics Federation of India general secretary Dr S Shantikumar Singh and Olympians S Mirabai Chanu, S Nilakanta Sharma, P Sushila Chanu, MC Mary Kom, L Sushila, P Nilakomol, Ksh Thoiba, Kh Tombi, Ng Sonia, K Chinglensana were also seated on the dais.

Hockey player Nilakanta Sharma was feted with Rs 75 lakh and the appointment letter of Deputy Director in YAS Department.

Likewise, Indian women hockey team member P Sushila Chanu was honoured with Rs 25 lakh with an appointment letter of Assistant Director in YAS Department.

YAS stages roll call honours for Olympians

On the occasion, Rs 25 lakh was handed over to boxing great MC Mary Kom while Judoka L Sushila was honoured with Rs 25 lakh and promotion to the post of Inspector in the Manipur Police Department.

It may be mentioned that Olympic silver medallist S Mirabai Chanu had already been awarded Rs 1 crore besides being appointed as the Additional SP (Sports) in the Manipur Police Department.

Speaking on the occasion, N Biren Singh said that the construction of Manipur Olympian Park at Sangaithel would be completed by November.

Stating that the park would be a symbol of honour and tribute to the Olympians from Manipur who had represented the country, the Chief Minister stated that the park would inspire the budding players.

N Biren Singh also announced that the State Government will reward Rs 30 lakh to Ngangom Bala Devi for bringing laurels to the State by becoming the first woman footballer of the country to play for a foreign club.

The Chief Minister also lauded MC Mary Kom for her marvellous achievements in the game of boxing, stating that her record would be hard to break.

Maintaining that the State Government has been putting in all possible efforts to develop sports infrastructures, he said that flood lighting systems had been installed at Khuman Lampak main stadium and hockey stadium besides developing playgrounds in different places.

He also assured to study the inconveniences faced by coaches of different disciplines.

Addressing the gathering, Prahlad Singh Patel said that felicitating these players would inspire many younger generations to work harder.

Y Joykumar Singh, on the other hand, stressed the need to identify the sports disciplines which are suitable to the State.

Stating that loss and win is the part of any game, the Deputy Chief Minister observed that players should never get disheartened during the bad phase of their career.

Letpao Haokip said that the State has a comprehensive sports policy to extend support and assistance to players.

He further informed that three posts of Joint Director, five posts of Deputy Director and 10 posts of Assistant Director had been recently created in the State Youth Affairs and Sports Department for medal winners in Olympic Games.