'Let's pray for the glory of the five state Olympians'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 25 2012:
Encouraging the five Olympians from Manipur and giving a boost to the medal hopes for them, Dronacharya Awardee Boxing Coach Leishangthem Ibomcha has appealed to the people of the state to pray for the glory of the state Olympians and encourage them to win medals in the London Games.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, the renown boxing coach who has trained many renown international boxers like MC Mary Kom, Mayengbam Suranjoy Laishram Sarita, Ng Dingku etc, said that the qualifying of five state players in four different events is a matter of pride for the people of the state.
People of the state should be proud of the fact which is the envy of other states.
The London Olympics is slated to begin from July 27 and in such situation, all the people of the state irrespective of cast and creeds should pray for the five state Olympians for their optimum performances in the Games and bring laurels by winning medals in their respective events.
The qualifying of five players from the state has once again shows the advancement of sporting skills of the players of the state.
The Sydney Olympics 2000, in which four Manipuri players participated was the highest ever participation of Manipur in Olympic Games.
After a gap of 12 years, Manipur has broken the record with the five players participating in the London Games, he said.
It was boxer Ng Dingku and S Suresh, judokan L Brojeshwori and Weightlifter Sanamacha in the Sydney Olympics.
Manipur has so far produced 13 Olympians till now.
For every players, it has been their ultimate dream to participate in the Olympics keeping aside winning medals, Ibomcha said.
The coach further said that five time World Champion MC Mary Kom and the young lad Laishram Devendro were trained by him.
The two boxers and the other three Olympians from Manipur, archer Laishram Bombayla, weightlifter Ngangbam Soniya Chanu and hockey player Khadangbam Kothajit are the medal hopes for India.
He also added that he has high hopes for all the five Olympians to win at least a medal each in the London Olympics.
In the same time, five time World Champion, MC Mary Kom is the first ever women boxer of India to participate in Olympic Games.
She has indeed created history in women's boxing in India after becoming the first and lone women boxer of India to participate in the Olympic Games, he said.
"May the Almighty God help them to bring out their optimum skills and strength for the best performances and decorate them with the coveted medals around their neck", the coach, who was honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award added.