Imphal, July 23: The Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) led sports organisations in the state have extended best wishes to 5 athletes from Manipur in the Indian contingent for Tokyo Games 2020 which is scheduled to begin from tomorrow till August 8.
While many organisations are extending wishes for the state athletes, MOA along with guardians of the state athletes organised a mass prayer seeking blessing for the athletes at its office at Khuman Lampak sports complex in Imphal on Wednesday. The association wished that MC Mary Kom (boxing), Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (Hockey), Sushila Likmabam (Judo) and S Nilakanta Sharma (Hockey) may emerge victorious and bring laurels to the country and the State.
Cheering for the Indian contingent and the 5 athletes from the State in particular, president Th Radheshyam of MOA prayed that the athletes may script new success stories and inspire budding players in the State and the country. Manipur based social and voluntary organisations have also extended best wishes to the State athletes who are set to compete in 4 different sporting disciplines (boxing, hockey, judo and weightlifting) at the Tokyo Games which will open on July 23.
Meanwhile India's lone judoka in the games, Sushila Likmabam of Manipur while speaking to All India Radio Imphal today said that she is preparing her best to win a medal with the blessing of the people. She will have her first bout on July 24.
On June 28, the Manipur government had 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. The government also announced a cash incentive of Rs 25 lakh to all the five participants who are representing the country in Tokyo Olympics.
