IMPHAL, Sep 29(NNN): Thousands of people of Senapati district today felicitated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) player A Kario Isaac Maheo with a red carpet welcome at the Senapati Football Ground amidst much fanfare.
The felicitous function welcoming the player was organised by Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur (SDOAM) and Senapati district administration. It was graced by MC Mary Kom as chief guest flanked by other local Naga leaders.
Kario is the champion of the Super Fight League Challenges, 2012 held in Mumbai on September 8 last.
Speaking on the occasion, pugilist Mary Kom said, “Let us deeply concentrate on sports by refraining from internal conflict but let us bring peace.”
The 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist lamented that the initiatives of the Government of Manipur with regard to sports lagged behind other states. Still, the number of Olympians in Manipur is too low even though there are a lot of sportspersons, she said.
Mary Kom also said she intends to set up a boxing institute at Senapati and assured she will render support with boxing equipments to the people of the district.
Lauding MMA player for his achievement, Mary Kom encouraged him saying that if a woman of two like her could bag a bronze medal in the London Olympic Games, why not a young fighter like Kario should be successful in international level. She further suggested that if you want to be successful, you should work hard with patience and discipline.
Kario admitted that he had also faced many difficulties in life like other people and that he was never brought up with special quality. He said one should have a dream and passion in life and work hard and trust in God.
Kario is born to late Loly Ashikho and PF Nisa of Karong village in Senapati district. He is the second child with an elder sister and three younger brothers.
He had his primary schooling in Mumbai. He completed High School from St Joseph School, Tadubi and graduated in B Com with honours from St Joseph`s College, Jakhama, Nagaland.
From a very tender age, Kario developed a passion for sports and fitness. It was at the age of seven that he had his first initiation to Karate when he joined a school in Mumbai for a brief period.
He got in touch with Daniel Isaac, the pioneer of MMA in India who invited him to their gym in Mumbai. Kario was on flight duty when he first visited the MMA gym.