Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh celebrated three local hockey players on October 13. He hosted the event at his secretariat in Mantripukhri, Imphal. The athletes secured gold medals at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Sanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma played for the men's squad. Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu and Kharibam Bichu Devi competed on the women's team. Khemchand Singh praised the state of Indian hockey. He noted the team victories proved the sport is moving in the right direction. "Indian hockey had improved significantly in recent years," the Chief Minister said.
The athletes want jobs. They asked for employment in state government departments to honor their achievements. Khemchand Singh directed them to submit formal applications to the Director of Youth Affairs and Sports. The group also pushed for a better policy to protect successful athletes in the region.
Naorem Praveen Singh, Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, stated that officials are currently working on a new sports policy. The players told the Directorate of Information and Public Relations they were pleased with the warm welcome. They felt the Chief Minister, a former Taekwondo athlete, truly understood their career goals. The trio urged local youth to train hard and asked parents to back their children's sporting dreams.
Comments