Letpao Haokip was speaking as the chief guest of a felicitation function organized by Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation today at Mary Kom-SAI Boxing Academy, National Games Village in honour of its students who won medals in the recently concluded State level boxing championship.
Regardless of the players winning medal or not, sportspersons of any discipline who represent the State at the National level would be given daily remuneration of Rs 1000, the Minister said while adding that officials of the department would be directed to implement the same immediately.
Emphasising that nutritious diets are a must to every sportsperson, Letpao Haokip also said that the Government will do its best to ensure that quality food/diets are served to trainee sportspersons of Special Area Games (SAG).
He said that the existing practice of awarding tender to caterers for trainee sportspersons would also be streamlined so that the quality of food served to them is enhanced.
Exhorting the budding boxers of the Academy, Letpao Haokip urged them to dream big and pursue their dream with grit, determination and perseverance in order that the State as well as the country continue to bask in their glories. “If Mary can, why can’t you ?” the Minister said while encouraging the young boxers to shine at the National and International arenas.
Lauding the MKRBF for mentoring many promising boxers mostly from economically weak background, the Minister also wished that the foundation produces many fine boxers in the days to come.
Boxers of MKRBF who represented their respective districts and won laurels in the recently concluded State level boxing championship were feted. 15 boxers of the foundation won gold in the championship. 19 won silver and 19 others won bronze. Gold medal winners were presented with a cash reward of Rs 10,000 each while Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 were given to the silver and bronze medal winners respectively.
Amongst others, founder of MKRBF and ace pugilist MC Mary Kom who is also MP (Rajya Sabha); SK Sharma, DIGP, CRPF, Range Imphal and Onler Kom, Managing Director, MKRBF exhorted the young and promising boxers of the academy during the programme.
