Six Rio Olympians from State felicitated ; CM hopeful State players bring laurels in next Olympics
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2016: Even as sports persons from the State representing India in the Rio Olympics could not fetch medals, Chief Minister O Ibobi exuded great confidence that sports persons from the State will bring laurels to the State as well as the country in the 32nd Summer Olympics to be held at Tokyo in 2020 .

CM O Ibobi was speaking today at the felicitation cum presentation of incentive to the six sports persons from the State who represented India in the recently held Rio Olympics.

The programme was organised by Dept of Youth Affairs and Sports at Khuman Lampak Indoor stadium.

Six Rio Olympians from State felicitated

It is a pride that Manipur, although a tiny State, could produce as many as six players in the Rio Olympics, O Ibobi said while adding that the State fares well on this count.

He further stressed the need to encourage the sports persons and appealed to all concerned to contribute in their capacity for grooming more world standard players from Manipur.

The State Government is also helping the players in its capacity to enable them bring laurels to the country and the State from international competitions, he added while urging all concerned to encourage and extend support to the players of the State in order that they win laurels in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Olympians from the State namely P Sushila Chanu (Indian women hockey team captain), Thokchom Anuradha (hockey player), Kh Kothajit (hockey player), K Chinglensana (hockey player), Laishram Bombayla (archer) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (weightlifter) were presented a cheque of Rs 25 lakh each during the function.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who presided the function pointed out that competition is there in every field and what is honoured is the spirit of competition.

He said it is the pride of all in Manipur that boys and girls from the State could showcase to the world that sports persons from the State also can compete in the world's biggest sporting competition.

He appealed to all the sports persons of Manipur to keep up their talents and bring laurels to the State and the country.

Revenue Minister and President of Manipur Olympic Association I Hemochandra Singh attended the function as the guest of honour.

Rajya Sabha MP and London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom, Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Commissioner YAS, former Olympians representatives of various sports bodies and many players were also present.