Source: ATOM SAMARENDRA
Imphal, October 05:
Even as Manipur government utter not a single word on victory of MC Mary and Sarita Devi in 3rd world women boxing championship, the sports loving people of Manipur accorded a warm reception in a grand manner when she arrived at the Imphal airport today.
Students and people from all walks of life showered their greeting to the two pugilists in the roadside stretching from airport to Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) where a reception function was held.
The reception was jointly organized by All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Komren Students Union, Manipur Forward Youth Front, United People's Front, All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, All Manipur Women Social reformation and Development Samaj and National Identity Protection Committee.
The Imphal Airport was thronged by people who gathered there since 1 pm to greet MC Mary Kom and L Sarita.
Security personnel who were put into service there had a tough time to control the huge crowd.
Mary Kom could not proceed to her vehicle as mediapersons and crowd mobbed her.
Traffic police were also busy in traffic management in the route between airport and BOAT.
Youth affairs and sports minister Govindas Konthoujam, top police officers and officials of All Manipur Boxing Association were also among the people who receive the two pugilists.
The two pugilists were carried by a well-decorated jeep upto BOAT.
School children and representatives of various social organizations who stand in the roadside greet the two pugilists by waving their hands and garlanding.
Sounds of long live Mary Kom, long live Sarita shouted by the peoples in roadside filled the air during their way (Mary Kom and Sarita) upto BOAT.
Speaking to the media briefly at the Imphal airport, Mary Kom said she was so excited to win the world title twice and failed to express her happiness in word.
With tear rolling down in her eyes, Mary did not lose her energy to wave her hands to the crowd which was stretched around 5 kilometers.
To a question, Mary Kom said she would see whether her weight category will be included in the Beijing Olympics or not.
Women boxing will be included in the Beijing Olympics for the first time.
MC Mary Kom of Manipur asserted her supremacy for the second consecutive year by clinching the gold in the 46 kg class in the women's 3rd world boxing championship at Podolsk near Moscow in Russia on October 2. The Arjuna awardee boxer defeated Jong Ok of North Korea in the final to clinch her second consecutive gold in the world women boxing championship.
She won silver medal in the inaugural edition of the championship in Turkey while claiming gold in the 2nd edition held in USA's Pennsylvania in 2002.She also won the gold and the best boxer award in the Tonsberg World Boxing tournament in Norway in 2004, besides various other international titles to her credit.