Cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh to Tokyo Olympics bound weightlifter Mirabai Chanu

Imphal, June 24: Manipur cabinet decided to extend onetime cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh to Tokyo Olympics bound weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.A decision has been taken in this regard in its meeting held at the cabinet hall of the Chief Minister's secretariat in Imphal on Wednesday.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and it was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar and works minister Th Biswajit led by almost all the ministers.

The state chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and Principal secretary (health and family welfare V Vumlunmang were also present during the meeting where other important decisions were also taken.

Last week, Chief Minister N Biren Singh congratulated world champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for her entry to Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to begin from next month.

Sharing a photo of Mirabai in his Facebook post on June 13, Biren Singh wrote," Hearty congratulations to our daughter Mirabai Chanu on qualifying for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in Women's 49 Kg category. Mirabai Chanu has been ranked 2nd in the International Weightlifting Federation's Absolute Ranking List in the 49 Kg category. May your hard work and dedication bring laurels to the country."

India has sent the lone entry of Mirabai for the Tokyo Olympics after the former World champion was placed second in the women's 49kg Absolute Ranking released by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).Mirabai gathered 4133, 6172 Robi points to come second behind Chinese Hou Zhihui (4926, 4422) in the rankings published by the IWF recently.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation sent Mirabai's entry after the confirmation of her place from the 'world' quota. Mirabai – who lifted a total of 205kg, including a world record of 119 kg in clean and jerk, to secure a bronze medal in the Asian championships in April – is considered a strong medal prospect in the Olympics. She is training in the USA at present.