ARJUNA AWARDEE BOXER L. DEVENDRO ACCORDED WARM RECEPTION

IMPHAL, September 1 (DIPR): Arjuna Awardee boxer Shri L. Devendro was accorded a warm welcome today at YDC Community Hall, Yurembam.

Speaking at the reception function organised by Youth Development Club, Yurembam Awang Leikai, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Shri Letpao Haokip said that he had considered Arjuna Award or any other National awards unachievable for sports persons of the NE region. However, the spirited and dedicated sports persons of the region particularly Manipur proved it otherwise.

Shri Letpao Haokip said that it is matter of pride for the State to see recipients of National Awards including the prestigious Arjuna Award galore thereby putting the State into more prominence in the Indian sports map.

He also praised the patience, perseverance and strict discipline maintained by boxer and Olympian L. Devendro in the boxing arena and elsewhere. All these characters in the sportsperson have earned him the prestigious award, he said.

The Minister further said that Devendro would be an inspiration for many talented sports persons of the State.

Addressing the gathering as the guest of honour, Dr. Sapam Ranjan, MLA of Konthoujam A/C said that the feat achieved by boxer L. Devendro is worthy of celebration. The local MLA also handed Rs. 50,001/- from his monthly salary to L. Devendro as a token of encouragement to achieve higher accomplishment in future.

Delivering his speech as the guest of honour, Shri Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh, MLA of Lamshang A/C and Deputy Chairman, Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited said sports can be a panacea to drug abuse menace in the society. He urged all concerned to encourage and promote sports in order to attain a healthy society.