Imphal,June 28: Manipur government today announced cash awards for sportspersons from Manipur who bag medals in the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics Games which is scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8,2021.
The state Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh made the announcement during the launching of Selfie Point to cheer Indian Olympic contingents at Chief Minister's official bungalow in Imphal, according to a statement from Chief Minister's secretariat. Biren Singh announced that the State government would hand over a cash award of Rs 1.2 crore to gold medal winners, Rs 1 crore for silver medal winners and Rs 75 lakhs for bronze medal winners at the Tokyo Olympics from the State. He also said that the government would provide a cash incentive of Rs 25 lakh to all the five participants who are representing the country in Tokyo Olympics. Expressing confidence that the State athletes would win medals for the country, he wished success to all the five athletes on behalf of the people of Manipur.
The day's event at CM's bungalow was attended by Ministers Letpao Haokip (Youth Affairs & Sports), Th Satyabrata (Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution), Chairman Planning & Development Authority T Robindro Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLA of Langthabal Constituency Karam Shyam and officials of Youth Affairs & Sports department.
Altogether five sports persons from Manipur namely six times world champion pugilist MC Mary Kom Boxing (Women's Boxing 51kg), former Indian women national team captain Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam(Women's Hockey), Sh Nilakanta(Men's Hockey), Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (women's 49kg) and Likmabam Shushlia Devi (women's Judo 48 kg) are all to represent the country in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020. So far Manipur which is popularly known as a sporting powerhouse, has produced 19 Olympians.