Imphal, November 26: People of Manipur rolled out the red carpet to welcome World boxing champions MC Mary Kom and L Sarita Chanu who won gold in their respective weight category of the 4th World Women Boxing Championship recently held at New Delhi when they arrived here today.

People lined up along the road and showered flower petals on them from Tulihal Airport till Ist MR battalion where a felicitation function was hosted by Manipur Police Sports Club in their honour.

High ranking police officials including Director General of Police AK Parasher garlanded them as the two champions alighted from the Indigo flight at the Imphal airport and school children waved the tri-colour flags.

Later the two champions were brought in a fully decked Gypsy vehicle with a band party leading the procession and vehicles of the top police officials following behind.

All along the way people stood on both sides of the road chanting the names of Mary Kom and Sarita and showered flower petals and presented gifts to them.

The two women boxing champions also responded by waving their hands at the cheering crowd.

Traffic police faced a tough time in controlling the crowd and ensuring smooth flow of the traffic.

Talking to The Sangai Express at the banquet hall of Ist MR where the reception function was held, Mary Kom said she was overwhelmed by the warm welcome accorded by the people and her Department officials.

Future players should also be similarly encouraged, she said.

Mary Kom said she felt a rich sense of fulfilment in retaining the championship titles for three consecutive years though it was not an easy task.

If the discipline of boxing is included in the Olympics and Asian Games, I would like to win medals for Manipur and India, she said.

She gave the credit of her success to her coaches and all those who supported her.

She also thanked her husband for all the emotional support given to her.

Sharing her experience during the championship, Mary Kom informed that she was suffering from cough and fever while the competition was underway and prayed to Jesus for help.

Her husband K Onler Kom said that he always tried to keep Mary Kom in good spirit and never give a chance to worry over any thing.

Expressing happiness over the reception give to her, L Sarita said it has instil her with new courage to strive hard in future.

Giving the credit for her success to her coaches and other guides, Sarita added that she was on diet to control her weight.

The formal reception function held at the banquet hall of Ist MR was graced by DGP AK Parasher and ADGP Sahid Ahamed on the dais.

The DGP handed over an incentive award of Rs 25,000 each to Mary Kom and Sarita from the side of the Department during the reception.

Speaking at the occasion, the DGP congratulated the two lady police officers on their achievements and said their participation in the championship by reducing their respective weight was a nice strategy.

In her address, Mary Kom who has already been decorated with Arjuna Award and Padmashree said she hoped that the Government would give promotion to both of them.

'However, I personally would like double promotion.

But I don't know whether the Govt would agree to that', she said.

Telling the audiences how she clinched the championship title, Sarita thanked her Department for all the support extended to her.

Later talking to mediapersons, DGP AK Parasher categorically stated looking at their performance, it would be befitting to give promotion to Mary Kom and Sarita.

However, it is not within his power or of the Department to give them promotion.

A reception function in honour of the two women boxers was also reportedly hosted at the residence of Wangkhem A/C MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang later in the afternoon.

Coach Kishan and Commander of 34 AR Khan were also reportedly present during the reception.

Meanwhile, congratulating Mary Kom and Sarita on their gold medal winning feats, BJP Manipur Pradesh urged the State Govt to give suitable posts to them just as the Mizoram Govt had promoted Jenny to DSP.

Kom Students' Union has also congratulated May Kom and Sarita.

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