EMA hosted Olympians Mary Kom and Laishram Devendro at London

London, 15th August 2012

European Manipuri Association, EMA organised an evening reception to host Olympians, light weight women boxing bronze medallist, HMangte Chungneijang Mary Kom and light weight mens boxing quarter finalist, Laishram Devendro from Manipur on 11th August, 2012 at the historic Victoria Library & Pub, near Hyde Park- London.

The reception was attended by the diaspora from the North East India, particularly from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya. Among the guests were the visiting President of Manipur Olympic Association, Bijoy Koijam and Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur, Hawaibam Deleep Singh (IAS) apart from Mary Koms husband (Onler Kom) and mother.

General Secretary of EMA, Somorendro Khangembam formally started the evening reception with a champagne toast to Mary Kom and Laishram Devendro amidst resounding cheers from the gathered fans. The Olympians were honoured with souvenirs, gifts and presents from EMA executive committee and attending guests.

EMA would like to thank the honourable CM of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh who personally organised a live telephonic conversation with the Olympians & EMA executive committee. During the conversation, Mary Kom and the CM discussed at length about building world class boxing team of Manipur.

Sh.Hawaibam Deleep Singh , director sports and youth affairs, shared with the audience the struggles and constraints in nurturing world class athletes in a state like Manipur. He further shared Manipur Govts plan to identify certain disciplines such as archery, boxing, weight lifting and others that are more suitable for the state players, with the possibility of engaging foreign coaches where necessary to professionalize the concerned disciplines.

Bijoy Koijam, Manipur Olympic Association President, announced Rs 100,000 for Mary Kom for winning bronze medal and Rs 25,000 each for Laishram Devendro, Laishram Bombayala, Ngangbam Soniya Chanu and K. Kotharjit Singh for participating in the Olympic.

Through EMA committee, a senior member, Dr. Shachi Gurumayum, has also committed to making a personal donation of 1000 US dollars to Mary Koms Boxing Academy in loving memory of his grandparents.

Some members of North American Manipuri Association also had live telephonic conversation with the two Olympians.

EMA, encouraged by how the sports have influenced British government policy on education, has also urged the CM and distinguish officials of Manipur govt to consider means of inculcating sports and sporting values in the education system of the state and as such continue the huge sporting momentum created by London 2012 and paving the way for a healthy Manipur.