New Delhi/Imphal, August 29 2009: Having achieved top podium finishes four times in the world women's boxing championships, an elated Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom received her much deserved Khel Ratna 2009, the country's highest honour for sportsperson, while L Sarita Devi was bestowed the Arjuna award by the President of India Pratibha Devi singh Patil.

The awards ceremony was held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on August 29, 2009 .

Speaking to the media a day before the memorable ceremony, Mary Kom thanked the Union Sports Minister, the selection committee and the Boxing federation.

She said, "I will do my best for my country, I have the will power and I will make my country proud".

On her come back trail after taking a break, as a mother, she sternly brushes away that it does not let her down, though she do acknowledge that "as a mother the ordeal is stressful, but my family and specially my husband support me throughout".

And that basically gave her the spirit once again to bounce back into the ring.

Further, receiving the Khel Ratna, she added, "was a motivation and an encouragement".

Coming a long way, from a "day to day" struggle to reach this far and looking ahead Mary said, "the 2012 Olympics, will truly be a dream come true.

Pray for me - I will do my best" .

Accompanying Mary Kom in Delhi, to receive the much coveted Khel Ratna, her better half, Onler Kom, informed that the two year old "MC Mary Kom Boxing academy" started by Mary herself has 14 girls and two boys, adjacent to her house in Game Village in Imphal.

Looking after the day to day management of the academy where students are being given free coaching and accommodation, Onler said "we give preference to girls from far flung rural areas in Manipur, who do not have the priviledge".

Talking about the students Onler added "one girl student has found a job in CISF and another Niengneihat has won Silver Medal in the National boxing".

He said "showing the way is the idea of initiating this academy".

With well wishers and fans asking Mary to set up the academy, she felt that this was something she could give back to her people, for those who are poor as she puts it "I also come from a poor family and this academy is also meant for girls from poor family".

As of today the Mary Kom boxing academy runs without no "funds" but with Mary putting her own hard earn money into it.

There are few help in the form of kinds like - hand glove, that does not last for long.

Replying to a question on whether she would be open to any support she said "if any body wants to support the academy it is welcome".

The two die hard Manipuri women, serving as Inspectors in the Police Department, Mary and Sarita, who gave Manipur a name in the world of Boxing, are gearing up for the coming Olympic Games in 2012 .

Prior to leaving for the National capital to receive the prestigious Khel Ratna, Mary Kom pledged that the half the amount of the award would be utilised in grooming young pugilists of Manipur through the boxing academy that she herself had set-up in 2000 .

Aptly christened 'MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy' with the training centre at the residential complex provided to her by the State Government at Langol Game Village, the champion pugilist had been sharing her expertise in grooming talented native boxers to bring glory to the State and Nation.

"Whatever amount the Khel Ratna carries, I'll fund half of it for the Academy and my ultimate dream is to groom the young kids become the best boxers in the world," she affirmed.

It is informed that the Academy looks after food and accommodation requirements of nearly 20 young male and female boxers.

She also expressed hope that the Government would provide good infrastructure and coaches enough to impart world class training to qualifiers for international level competitions.

Reacting to a question regarding the State Cabinet's decision to promote her to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police but without any official notification on the matter till date, Mary Kom said, "With the conferring of the Nation's highest sporting award to me I'm expecting an even higher post than DSP".

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