State Olympian lacks govt attention
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 28 2012:
It is high time for the stae government to turn its attention to archer Laishram Bombayla and pugilist Laishram Devendro who have been selected to represent India in the upcoming London Olympics 2012 .
For every player, it is the only big dream to participate in the Olympics and compete with best sportspersons of different countries in a common platform.
It is very rare for Manipur to participate in the Olympics representing India even though Manipur is the powerhouse of sports in the whole country.
Recognising their performances in various national and international championships, Laishram Bombayla and Laishram Devendro have been selected to represent India in the London Olympics which is to be held from July 27 to August 12.However, the state government seems to failed to notice the two sportspersons who have made it to the Olympics this season.
It is the second consecutive times for archer Bombayla to participate in the Olympics.
At present, 47 players including 16 probables Hockey players are declared qualified for the London Olympics.
There are also two hockey players from Manipur among the 16 probables � Kothajit and Chinglensana.
However, nothing can be said for them since the final list is yet to be declared.
Leaving aside the five hockey players, Bombayla and Devendro are the only two sportspersons from Manipur who have made it to the London Olympics so far.
India will be participating in the London Olympics in Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming and Hockey.
Even though they have made it to the Olympics, the state government is not saying a single word of inspiration and appreciation let alone incentives.
On the other hand, government of other states have already announced cash incentives for qualified Olympians as an inspirational and appreciative measure while some even have provided the announced incentives.
Nagaland government had provided cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh to its archer Chikrovolu Soro who was also qualified for the Olympics.
Assam government had also announced a cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh for its archer Jayanta Talukdar.
Jharkhand government also announced to bear all expenses for Deepika Kumari to the London Olympics besides a lakh cash incentive of Rs 50 lakh and a flat.
It may be mentioned that Deepika Kumari was raised from a poor family whose father drives an auto rikshaw to support his family.
Unfortunately in Manipur, the state government is turning a blind eye to the two Olympians and had recently announced Rs 10 lakh incentives to pugilists Mary Kom and L Sarita for their gold Asian Championships.
Even though, many appreciated the step of the state government to inspire and appreciate the performances of the two pugilists who won gold in the recent Asian Championships, people of the state are somewhat frustrated with the policy of the government who is not paying any attention to the grand achievement of the two sportsperson of the state who have made it to the London Olympics.
Bombayla was qualified for the Olympics after she won silver medal in team event in the 46th World Championships held in Italy last year.
She had also won silver in team event in the 3rd World Cup held in Ocktail in August last year, gold medal in team event in the 4th World Cup in Shanghai, China in August, bronze in team event in the Asian Championships held in October, silver in Team event and gold in mix team in the Asian Grand Prix held in Bangkok in February this year.
Pugilist Laishram Devendro was also qualified after he won many medals in different national and international championships.
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