Newmai News Network Imphal | May 31 Star boxer MC Mary Kom has today said that she will do her best in uplifting the tribal people’s sports in Manipur. She was speaking at a programme organised by the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) to felicitate her on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament at her residence in Langol Game Village here in Imphal. A memento was also presented to Mary by LNC on the occasion. Clad in a traditional Liangmai dress which was presented by the LNC at the event, the 33-year-old said the tribal people in Manipur are at an early stage in the field of games and sports as compared to the majority community of the state. The five-time world amateur boxing champion and Olympics bronze medalist said she will do her best to uplift the tribal people in sports. “I will try my best to uplift it. I cannot make any commitment. But I’ll make best effort to work for them as an MP. Hope the God has given me the task to elevate the minority people,” she said. “Even in my long career, I have never made commitment on getting gold medals. I always tell the press that I will try my best. But athletes always want medals.” Kom failed to qualify for the upcoming Rio Olympics and she says it is God’s will. “Now, I’m an MP. I think I should not regret any more because it’s the will of God who wants me to take to a new path. I’m indeed very happy to take the offer from the Prime Minister and BJP,” she said. However, she admitted that she needs experience which she said would be able to get in one-two years as soon as she starts her work as an MP. “I’m neither a huge celebrity nor a well-educated person. I’m not eloquent either. I have to work hard and get experience.” Kom studied only till standard VIII and never had a flair for studies. She was in love with the game of boxing and wanted to learn the art and skill. She said, “My husband had told me my nomination was well deserved. He had said I would surely become a public leader one day. I did not even dream of it. I was caught by surprise.” Former MP Mani Charanamei, who was also present on the occasion, said the hill districts do not have proper sports grounds and sought help from Mary Kom in developing sports infrastructure for nurturing and identifying talented tribal sports persons. “When I was an MP, the NEC and DoNER sanctioned for developing sports stadium in the hills but we do not see any of them till date,” he regretted. He urged upon Kom to work towards all-round development of the hills.
