Posers raised over Padma to Sanathoi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2023: While commending former MP Thounaojam Chaoba and Kakchingtabam Sanathoi Sharma for winning this year's Padma Shri awards, Huyen Lallong Thang-Ta Association member and senior coach Huidrom Dinachandra contended that it was wrong to award Padma Shri to Sanathoi in sports category and suggested that Sanathoi return the award sincerely and voluntarily.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Wednesday, Dinachandra said that Sanathoi Sharma is neither a prominent teacher of Thang Ta nor had he participated in Thang-Ta sports at state, national or international level even though he occasionally performs Thang-Ta.

As such, selection of Sanathoi Sharma for the Padma Shri award in sports category is a big question.

It would be a dishonour to all the national and international players as well as Olympians if Sanathoi's recommendation was made by sports department, he added.

According to Dinachandra, teacher Huidrom Premkumar is the person who shoulders immense responsibility in promoting Thang-Ta sports and his efforts led to Thang-Ta sports reaching national and international level and even figured in Khelo India and School Games programmes.

Interestingly, prominent Thang-Ta sports teacher Premkumar has been left out and instead Sanathoi Sharma recommended for the Padma Shri award, Dinachandra lamented.

He also said that state government should declare nomination of Sanathoi Sharma for the Padma Shri award as a mistake.

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