Oinam Kendra Development Orgn fetes local kickboxers

Our Correspondent
Moirang, Sep 3 : Oinam Kendra Development Organization (OKDO) felicitated 5 local athletes who participated at the Children & Cadets National Kickboxing Championship that was held from August 27 to 31 at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai.
Notably, Laishram Malemnganba was the only local athlete to win a gold medal at the championship which was hosted by the Tamilnadu Amateur Kickboxing Association.  He is the son of Laishram Ratan of Khoijuman Mayai Leikai under Oinam Assembly Constituency.
The felicitation programme held to encourage L Malemnganba and other participants- Shamurailatpam Ghanapiyari Devi, Khwairakpam Thoithoiba Meetei, Lamabam Yohenba Singh and Sanasam  Sayonba at Joysana Retreat was attended by Yumnam Joykumar, retd Chief Engineer of PWD; former Chairperson of Oinam Municipal Council, M Manglemba; N Indubushan, secretary of  Bharatiye Kishan Sangh Manipur Prant  and Ch Ibohal, president, Bishnupur District Kickboxing Association and others as presidium members.
In his address, Y Joykumar expressed his enthusiasm for nurturing local athletes, drawing from his own experiences as an athlete.
He highlighted the importance of sports for overall health and well-being, while advocating for a robust Sports Policy in the state to tackle unemployment.
Noting that over 450 State athletes have secured jobs outside Manipur, with the State leading India's junior sports landscape, Joykumar called for more dynamic leadership in the Youth Affairs and Sports Department to further propel the State's sporting achievements.
In a separate event at Khoijuman Makha Community Hall, Laishram Malemnganba was felicitated by the locals. Expressing his joy over winning a gold medal, Malemnganba vowed to work harder and repeat his success at the upcoming Junior National Kickboxing Championship in Himachal Pradesh, scheduled from September 22 to 25.