Mary Kom opens Kulbung's football tournament
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, January 22 2022:
Lovingly called 'Magnificent Mary', Dr MC Mary Kom, world boxing champion, Olympic bronze medallist, Padma Vibhushan awardee and MP of Rajya Sabha, on Saturday graced the opening ceremony of the Kulbung Village 4th Open Men's Football Tournament, 2022 as chief guest and inaugurated the tournament.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of the programme, MC Mary Kom stated that she has another two years to play and revealed that she is planning to play in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, adding that till 40 she can compete at any tournaments.
Mary regretted that she could not fulfil her dream of winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics despite trying her best.
At the same time, she questioned, "Even after winning two rounds, how could I still lose the bout?".
Regarding the steps taken by her to promote in boxing, the six-time world boxing champion said that she wanted to promote upcoming boxers by opening her academy in Imphal and expressed her desire to help any person having interest in boxing and hailing from the hills as she too is from a humble family background.
Mary Kom further said that talented budding boxers wishing to join her academy will be given training free of cost as it is her dream to produce so many champions from her academy, while adding, "If I can, why can't you...I'm a mother having children but still playing" .
On her preparation for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, she said that she is training hard for the upcoming competitions at her academy and urged one and all to pray for her.
Mary danced with the women folks of the village's Komrem Cultural troupe before her address to the gathering at Kulbung playground during the inaugural event.
Earlier before she arrived at the event,MC Mary Kom and her husband Onkholer Kom were administered a blessing prayer at the residence of her maternal grandfather Lunkholet Mangte by pastor Khupkam Mangte, head deacon, Kulbung Baptist Church.
Thereafter, she was carried in a palki by a group of youngsters till the village playground where she was accorded a rousing welcome.
The programme was also attended by M Rengkhupsong Kom and Letkhohau Mangte as guest of honour and president respectively.
While talking to TPC, Onkholer Kom, who was also present at the event, stated that he is contesting from 59th Saikot assembly constituency in the upcoming 12th Legislative Assembly Election.
He said that so far he has visited more than 200 villages and received overwhelming response from the villagers under Saikot.
Onkholer also disclosed that he is trying to get BJP party ticket and even if he fails to get it, he will discuss with his team and fight the election on other party ticket.