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IMPHAL, Jan 14: The medalists of Common Wealth Games and Asian Games from the state have expressed displeasure over the failure of the state government to distribute the cash incentive awards of Rs. 5 lakhs for gold medal, Rs. 3 lakhs for silver medal and Rs two lakhs for bronze medal which were announced earlier by YAS minister N. Biren.
The medalists stated this during a reception ceremony organized by Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Manipur State Unit, today at its head-office located at Nityapat Chuthek, Imphal.
Speaking at the reception funcxtion, the bronze medalist of 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou, weightlifter L. Monika said that the state government has totally neglected the sportspersons of the state. The players of the state have brought so many laurels to the state against all odds.
The state government has even failed to fulfill its commitment of giving cash incentive awards to the medalists of Common Wealth Games and Asian Games. The state government has also not given any reception for the medalists whereby demoralizing the players of the state, she asserted.
.The gold medalist of 19th Common Wealth Games held in New Delhi, Yumnam Renubala stated that the meritorious sportspersons of the state have not been given any job or incentive. The medalists of the state seem to be overlooked by the state government by not distributing the cash incentive awards which were announced earlier by YAS minister.
There will be no good sportsperson in the state if the government continues to demoralize the medalists who have made Manipur proud by securing several medals at the international arena, she noted.
The bronze medalist of 16th Asian Games in wushu, Sandhyarani said that most of the meritorious sportspersons of the state have obtained jobs outside the state but they desire to coach other players in the state if the state government provides them a job.
Lauding the sportspersons of the state for having secured several medals at the Common Wealth Games and Asian Games, the state president of BJP, Sh. Shantikumar Sharma stated that the Manipuri players have excelled in various international competitions because of their die-hard spirit. The state government has totally neglected the sportspersons of the state who are in dire need of care and support.
The state government has failed to appreciate the talented sportspersons who have brought laurels to the state. There is lack of proper infrastructure and financial assistance on the part of the state government to promote and develop sports, he said.
Shantikumar further said that Haryana has been able to produce large number of medalists at the Common Wealth Games owing to the initiative of Chief Minister Hooda who have taken up so many things for the development of sports. The meritorious sportspersons are well appreciated in other states and not in Manipur, he averred.
The other medalists who have been given warm reception by the BJP were K. Sanahanbi, Kh. Bheigyabati and M. Bimoljit.
It may be mentioned that eight players from Manipur, namely boxer Mayengbam Suranjoy, weight-lifter L. Monika, wushu player M. Bimoljit, weight-lifter Y. Renubala, wushu player W. Sandhyarani, kabadi player K. Sanahanbi, wight-lifter A. Sandhyarani and archer L. Bombayla were given warm reception by the BJP during its National Executive Meeting held in Guwahati.
A cash incentive of Rs 66,000 was presented by the BJP to boxer Suranjoy who bagged a gold medal in Common Wealth Games and a bronze medal in Asian Games. The gold medalist of Common Wealth Games weight-lifter Renubala, kabadi player Sanahanbi, wushu player W. Sandhyarani, weight-lifter Monika, archer Bombayla, weight-lifter A. Sandhyarani and wushu player Bimoljit were also presented cash incentives of Rs 51,000, Rs 34,000, Rs 25,000, Rs 25,000, Rs 34,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.