Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 07:
The Manipur Olympics Association, MOA, has dropped another bombshell this morning, threatening that it would return all 112 medals and the Raja Bhalendra Singh trophy fought and won by the sportspersons of the state during the last 5th National Games, if the agreement to have the ceasefire between the government of India and the NSCN(IM) extended to Manipur territory remains.
A message to this effect has been communicated by the MOA president G Joykumar Sharma and general secretary, BC Singh, to the union minister of state for home affairs, ID Swami, and additional secretary home, PD Shenoy, this morning at the Raj Bhavan.
Joykumar said the decision of the MOA has also been communicated to the two Arjuna Award winners from the state, ace boxer, Ng Dingko Singh and weightlifter, N Kunjarani Devi.
Joykumar who spoke to the IFP after their meeting with the home minister said the two sportspersons have acknowledged the message and said they would comply if it is the MOA's decision and more important if it is in the interest of the people.
In addition, the two MOA officials also told the home minister that the state has always been putting up sterling performances in sporting arenas both at the national as well as the international levels.
They also briefed the home minister that the state has over 200 international players, including well known names such as P Nilakomol, Ksh Thoiba (hockey), Sanamacha and a horde of others.
"This is the contribution that we have made to the country and we feel completely let down by the action of the government," Joykumar told the visiting minister.
The MoS home ID Swamy, assured the two MOA officials that their complaints would be brought for discussion during the forthcoming Parliament session.
It may be recalled that in the 5th National Games hosted by Manipur, the host state took 49 gold, 24 silver and 39 bronze medals and were declared overall champions with the tally of 112 medals winning the Raja Bhalendra Singh trophy.