Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 12 2010:
State born international boxers today in a press meet said that they will play for Manipur if the job opportunities given to them by other states is provided in Manipur itself.
International boxers, Mayengbam Suranjoy, Soubam Santosh and Thokchom Nanao made statement in a press meet held at MDU Hall, Yaiskul.
World champion, Suranjoy said that many state born boxers who are playing for other states are willing to play for Manipur.
Most of the players of the state come from poor families.
They are playing for other states to secure their future since other states have given them better job opportunities.
If the sportspersons are given good job opportunities in the state, Manipur will dominate the whole of India in games and sports.
He further said that concerned bodies and the people of the state should support the boxers in the selection trials for the 2012 London Olympics and World Championship which is to be held in South Korea next year.
He expressed his desire for the Manipur Amateur Boxing Association to put some more effort in supporting the boxers of the state.
The selection trials for the world championship will be held two months prior to the championship.
Involvement of politics in the selection makes it very difficult for us to display our best in the selection trials.
In the past, officials of the other states often came to selection trials.
Boxers of other states get more opportunities when the difference in the points are marginal in the selection trials.
The world championship which is to be held next year is the qualifying round for the 2012 London Olympics.
So this has given us a rare opportunity to participate in the Olympics.
The boxers said that the boxing coaches of the state are good coaches.
Boxers can win world championships even if they train under the coaches of the state, they said.