Sushila, Lily, Pinky and Sanarik given Rs 2 Lakh each
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 12, 2013: Acknowledging the feat of Manipuri players in the Indian hockey team (Junior Women) which won Bronze medal in the just concluded ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup, 2013 at Monchengladbach, Germany, State Government today handed over incentive award of Rs 2 lakh each to Pukhrambam Sushila, who is the captain of the Indian team, and to three other players in the team, namely Thokchom Pinky, Mayengbam Lily and Ningombam Sanarik.

It was India's first-ever medal in Women's Junior Hockey World Cup history.

The incentive awards were presented to the four Manipuri hockey players by Chief Minister O Ibobi during a simple ceremony held at his office chamber.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the State Government could have organized a grand reception in honour of the four Manipuri hockey players.

But since the players would be leaving Imphal tomorrow, the reception function has been organized in a simple manner.

However, there is no question of the hockey players of the State being sidelined by the State Government.

The Chief Minister went on to say that the incentive award given to the players by the State Government is small as the State is suffering from financial crisis at the moment, and appealed to the players to accept the small token of appreciation.

He further stated that it is indeed praiseworthy that the Indian Hockey team (Junior Women) has been able to win the bronze medal in the Junior World Cup Hockey after a gap of 30 years.

It is not an easy task to win a medal.

And above all, the State is proud that the winning Indian hockey team is captained by our very own Sushila and joined by other three players namely Lily, Pinky and Sanarik.

It is hoped that they team led by our players would bring more glory not only to Manipur but to the whole nation in future as well.

Sushila and the other three players had expressed disappointment for not inviting and showing the much needed appreciation from the side of the State Government to the team coach of the Manipur hockey team and President of the association on the occasion.

In this regard, the Chief Minister clarified that that since the reception function has been organized hurriedly; there was no time available to the State Government to inform them about the reception function.

Moreover, the Association has not informed the State Government of their return officially.

To the complaint by the four players over keeping the hockey turf ground at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex locked all the time, the Chief Minister assured that all necessary steps would be taken up to open the hockey ground for the players to practice.

The function was also attended by MLA M Prithviraj, Parliamentary Secretary in-charge of Youth Affairs and Sports; Dr RK Nimai, Commissioner of Youth Affairs and Sports and other top officials of the concerned department.

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