Manipuri players have yet again brought laurels for the country. Boxers MC Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi, who won gold and bronze in their respective categories at the Asian Games in South Korea, were accorded a warm welcome upon their arrival in their home state.
Many players from the state have won medals at the recently concluded 17th Asian Games at Incheon.
On her arrival at the Imphal International Airport, boxing icon Mary Kom, who won gold in the women's flyweight category, received a warm welcome by hundreds of her fans, relatives, sports lovers and well wishers.
The five time world champion and Olympic medalist has added yet another feather to her cap by becoming the first ever Indian woman boxer to have won a gold medal at the Asian Games.
"In 1998 Dingko won the gold medal at Asian Games and for such a long time nobody has won a gold medal. Today I got a gold medal so I'm sure all the people from Manipur must be happy and I' m so happy for getting such a warm reception," said MC Mary Kom.
"From the beginning, she has been hard and tough. She works very hard. She always practices 2-3 times in a day. I can only say that she works hard that is why she has got success," added Mary Kom's coach L Ibomcha Singh.
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"Whatever, Mary Kom has done is unique. I congratulate her for her unique achievement. This is an inspiration for all the mothers in the world," Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Boxer Laishram Sarita Devi, who won a bronze medal in the 60 kg category, was also given a hero's welcome at Imphal.
She got a grand reception by the Royal riders' team and hundreds of fans and members of the All Manipur Boxing Association till her residence at Mayang Imphal.
Meanwhile, the North eastern council has announced that monetary incentives will be provided to the medal winners from the region.
"For the past 13 - 14 years I have been playing for India and I thought I would stop playing but many people from Manipur as well as the whole country support me a lot to continue so I'm planning to play till 2016 Olympics," said Laishram Sarita Devi.
Besides the two women boxers, Wushu player from the state Yumnam Sanathoi Devi also won a bronze medal in women's Sanda 52kg category at the games.
Hockey players Khadangbam Kothajit and Chinglensana Kangujam were also a part of the men's hockey team that won gold at the event.
Manipuri players have been consistently performing well and bringing laurels at national and international level events.