Mirabai Chanu donates Rs 5 lakh for young lifters
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 10 2021: To support the upcoming weightlifters of the state to achieve their dreams, Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has provided a sum of Rs 5 lakh to Manipur Weightlifting Association on Friday.

Mirabai's mother Saikhom Tombileima handed over the money to Association's working president M Lokendro and secretary Sunil Elangbam in a simple event held at Olympic Bhavan, Khuman Lampak Sports complex here.

Mirabai, who is currently undergoing training at NIS Patiala, Punjab for the upcoming World Championship, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, informed her family to hand over the donation to the Association.

Speaking at the function, Tombileima informed that the donation has been extended so as to mitigate some of the problems face by the young weightlifters.

In his address, secretary Sunil Elangbam assured that the money donated by Mirabai will be utilised for fulfilling her wishes.

Being a sports organisation, the Association will try to train and produce weightlifters having the potential to bring laurels for the state and the country.

Acting on the wishes of Mirabai Chanu, sports ministry has intimated the state government to establish a world class weightlifting coaching centre in the state.

The family of Mirabai is also planning to set up an academy for weightlifting at her birth place Nongpok Kakching to produce world class weightlifters.

Meanwhile, the family members of Mirabai urged to utilise the donated money for reducing the troubles faced by players from far flung areas while coming to Khuman Lampak sports complex as well as on their diets and resolving other inadequacies.

It would not be a difficult task to participate and win medals in international sporting events if players are equipped with high tech infrastructure and equipment, they said.

Mirabai also encouraged Ma-nipuri weightlifting team by providing travelling fares for participation in the National Weightlifting Championship.

In the 73rd men's, 36th women's, 57th men's and 30th women's junior and 16th National Youth Weightlifting Championship, N Tomchou Meitei, Ch Rishikanta and S Bidyarani from Manipur have bagged gold medals.

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