Response in other parts of the country was lukewarm. But in Manipur it was a different story. Thousands of admirers gathered at the Imphal airport to receive Golden Girl Mary Kom and Sarita.    

People from all walks of life, along with the family members of the two boxers thronged at the airport much in advance of the arrival of Mary Kom and Sarita. The people virtually broke the security cordon to have a glimpse of the two girls who made Manipur proud by their medal winning performances.

Among the crowd, Youth Affairs and Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam, along with YAS officials and staff, DCs of Imphal West and Imphal East and other high ranking government officials were also present. From the airport, the two women pugilists were taken in an open jeep decorated with flowers. The crowd gathered along roadsides shouted slogans ‘Long live Mary Kom and Sarita‘. The large number of crowd gathered to welcome the boxers forced the organizers to shift  the reception venue from MDU Hall to BOAT.

With tears rolling down, an emotional Mary Kom said she never thought she and Sarita would be welcomed in such a manner. “Before I left New Delhi, I thought only some members of our families and relatives and sport persons would be waiting for us at the Airport but I was wrong,” Mary Kom said. She thanked the people of Manipur for welcoming her and Sarita. She gave credit to Oja Khoibi Salam, Narjit, Ibomcha, Kishan and AMBA officials for her success.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), P. R. Kyndiah mooted an idea of tapping sports talents from the region with an eye in the commonwealth games scheduled for 2010 in India.

Inaugurating the St Anthony’s Secondary school’s annexe mini auditorium, Mr. Kyndiah said that his ministry could consider sanctioning of proposals for setting up sports facilities like indoor stadium and other elated infrastructure worth above Rs 2 crores. Kyndiah said that Manipur has excelled in sports becuase of its good infrastructure. While congratulating the school for academic excellence, he urged the authorities to widen their horizon where the student could also utilise their skills which was having a wide scope for job opportunities.

Manipur | North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page |