Imphal, Sept 25: Manipuri woman boxer MC Mary Kom, who created history in the world of sports by clinching the fifth World Championship title consecutively in Barbados, was accorded a hero’s welcome by the people of the state on her homecoming after the historic victory.
The government also organised a grand reception ceremony at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium where the Chief Minister, O Ibobi was the chief guest. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, N Biren, Power Minister, Phungjathang Tonsing, Tribal Development Minister, DD Thaisii, Education Minister, L Jayentakumar, Works Minister K Ranjit, MLAs, DGP Manipur, Y Joykumar and other high ranking officials of the state government attended the historic reception ceremony.
The Chief Minister, while handing over an incentive cash award of ` 10 lakh to Mary Kom, also announced that the government has promoted her to the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police in the state Police Department.
Thousands of people, including students, lined up from Imphal airport to the city and garlanded the Manipuri boxer when she came out of the airport complex even as a reception was accorded to her at Khuman Lampak sports stadium complex here this afternoon.
Enthusiastic crowds packed the Indoor Stadium at Khuman Lampak.
Apart from handing over the incentive cash award of ` 10 lakh which the government had earlier announced, the Chief Minister said that the government was considering giving allotment of a two-acre land for her boxing academy, established by her own effort as MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy.
The incentive given to her is not really sufficient compared to her achievement. Her achievement is a priceless one. His government has decided to promote her to the post of Additional Superintendent of Police in the Police Department, Chief Minister Ibobi said.
Asserting that the government has been encouraging and extending recognition to sportspersons with excellent performances, whether in the national or international level, the Chief Minister said that having duly recognised her (Mary Kom’s) achievement, the government had appointed her in the police department as Sub Inspector. But with her excellent performance in the international level, she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Considering her historic achievement in the recently concluded world championship, government once again decided to offer higher rank, that is, to rank of additional SP. This was a part of government policy to encourage sportspersons of the state, he added.
The CM said government has received an application for allotting a two-acre plot of land at Langol for expansion of her boxing academy from woman boxer. The government was determined to allot land and started consideration for the same. The government was also considering christening a road or a sports stadium after her name. Cabinet had discussed the matter but not yet taken a final decision.
The Chief Minister further said that he was surprised that a woman of the state has achieved such excellence in the national and international level. Manipur is proud of such a talented sportsperson.
Chief Minister Ibobi exhorted the sportspersons of the state to bring more laurels from the world competions and wished Mary Kom all success in future.
Sports Minister, N Biren who presided over the function announced that the government will give an incentive award of ` 1 crore to sportspersons of Manipur who could secure gold medal in the Olympic Games.
“She is a legend and a rare sportsperson in the world. We are proud of Manipur for producing such a legendary sportsperson,” Biren said wishing that she would bring another landmark achievement in the forthcoming Olympic Games.
He further said that the government was giving special attention to sports in the hills. YAS department has taken up a plan to conduct talent hunt programmes in the hill areas of the state. The construction of a stadium in Chandel district and works for construction of another stadium in Ukhrul has also initiated.
Addressing the gathering as guest of honour of the function, Power minister, T Phungzathang said that he was deeply satisfied with the laurels brought by Mary Kom. He wished her a bright future.
Works Minister K Ranjit said the state is proud of the achievement and fame that she brought to this tiny state in the country. He expressed hope that in the 2012 Olympic Games she will win further laurels for the country.
Mary Kom, in tearful joy, said that all incentives received by her will be invested in developing her boxing academy. Recalling how she was brought up in a poor family, she said special advantage will be given to poor students in her academy.
Expressing gratitude to the people of the state, she said that it was the blessing of almighty and the prayers of the people of the state, particularly her well-wishers, that she became the world champion and that she hoped, she would win a gold medal in the Olympic Games.
Mary Kom declared that as she is intending to box in the under 48 kg category as against her earlier 46 kg.
She urged the government to extend full co-operation to her boxing academy, adding that the army at Leimakhong and CRPF, Langjing had donated equipment worth Rs four lakhs and one lakh respectively.
She said she will not forget the support and appreciation of the government under Chief Minister, O Ibobi and praised him for his priceless encouragement to her. Above all she said that she was proud of being a Manipuri.
Mary Kom arrived at Imphal Airport at 10 am where she was received by officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports. The whole length of the road she took to Khuman Lampak was crowded by thousands of well wishers who gave her a rousing welcome.
She was taken in an open jeep from the airport road to Keishampat junction, Singjamei, Kongba, Wangkhei, Hatta and New Checkon, and reached Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium where she attended a historic reception ceremony.
COPTAM suspends agitation
Lamka, Sep 25: COPTAM today suspended their week-long agitation which involves bandh on Government offices, vehicles and activities in the hill areas after receiving assurance from the Power Minister T Phungzathang, that he will take up the issue it had raised at the appropriate level, COPTAM release said. The suspension will be effected till September 29, while their future course of action will depend on the progress or response of the State Government within the relaxation, added the release.
