Manipur rolls out red carpet for Mary Kom, Laishram Devendro Grand reception for Olympians
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19, 2012: The streets of Imphal reverberated with sounds of cheers as Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom and quarter finalist Laishram Devendro arrived here after representing the country at the London Olympics.

The slogans of "Long live Mary Kom, Long Live Devendro", and "Long Live Manipur" rend the air even as hordes of sports lovers including aged women scurried out from the crowd and tossed garlands and flowers on the two heroes as they were taken through the streets in an open Jeep.

A large group of people, who had gathered at Tulihal airport to roll out the red carpet took the two boxers in a procession through the streets of Imphal after they landed here today afternoon.

Led by 350-CC motor cycles and tailed by several vehicles including police jeeps, the motorcade that covered almost all parts of Imphal city was a fit reception to the two athletes.

After reaching the indoor stadium of Khuman Lampak sports complex here, the red carpet was rolled by the State Government where Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led in according a fitting reception programme for all the four State Olympians including archer Laishram Bombalya Devi and weight lifter Ng Sonia Chanu.

"Today is the happiest day in my life as I reached 'Ima Manipur' (mother Manipur) after bagging a medal at the London Olympics, which has been my dream," an emotional Mary said at the ceremony.

Manipur rolls out red carpet for Mary Kom, Laishram Devendro Grand reception for Olympians

While the five-time world champion received a cheque of Rs 75 lakh from the hands of Ibobi Singh, the other three Olympians - Devendro, Soniya and Bombayla got Rs 20 lakh each.

Ibobi Singh, while iterating the Government's decision to promote Mary to the rank of Superintendent of Police (Sports) and three acres of land for upgrading her boxing academy, said the Government will soon send a detailed project report for the same cause to the NEC.

Established in 2006, Mary's regional boxing foundation previously known as MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy has produced hordes of excellent boxers at the National and State level championships.

Currently 35 young boxers from various parts of the State are being trained free of cost under her.

With the primary target to win more laurels in the next Olympics , the Chief Minister, who also holds the Sports portfolio, said Rs 100 crores ,being sanctioned by the 13th finance commission, would be utilized exclusively for all round development of sports in the State.

"If necessary, we will engage foreign coaches for certain disciplines to groom our talented athletes.

We want to see our players coming with gold medals in the next Olympics," he said.

While offering attractive posts to the other three Olympians - Bombayla, Sonia and Devendro - in the State Sports Department, Ibobi Singh said the posts would not be lower than the ones they are currently holding outside the State.

"I was supposed to witness London Olympics as all necessary papers like visas were readied but owing to the drought like situation hitting Manipur, I just dropped it.

Nevertheless I gave my blessings and best wishes to our Olympians over phone," Ibobi Singh said.

Expressing regret for wrongly announcing that Kothajit was in the Olympic squad, the Chief Minister assured that the Government will consider what can be done to help his case.

The three Olympians, who also spoke at the occasion, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the State Government and the general public for their support and blessings.

Local coaches of the four were also honored with mementos by the State Government during the occasion.