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| Chanu: For equal rights |
Imphal, Dec. 10: Manipur’s champion weightlifter Thingbaijam Sanamacha Chanu has urged the Okram Ibobi Singh government to treat all sportspersons “equally”.
Lamenting that the government had not bothered to even congratulate her, let alone announce a cash incentive for her commendable performance at the Commonwealth Games, Chanu said the state should have a uniform policy for all sports.
Chanu, whose awards include the Arjuna trophy, had won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. She had also been included in the national contingent for the Busan Asian Games, but could not participate because of an injury.
The weigh-tlifter said the state government had allotted a quarter to boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh and even named a road after him when he won a gold medal at the Bangkok Asiad, but did nothing for her despite the stupendous performance in Manchester.
“I am not complaining because I have not been given anything. What I am trying to say is that such a lopsided policy will damage the morale of budding sportspeople,” she said.
The government had announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 lakh each for Chanu and Nameirakpam Kunjarani Devi for their achievements in Manchester. However, the awards are yet to be given away.
“The government announced Rs 1 lakh for the Manipur football team for winning the Santosh Trophy and declared a holiday to celebrate the victory, but it has not extended anything to us. If sports are to be developed, the government should treat all sportspeople equally,” she said.
Chanu donated Rs 50,000 in memory of her father, Th. Ibohal Singh, to the Manipur Weightlifting Association. She is an inspector in the CRPF and posted in New Delhi.
Lok Sabha member Thaonaojam Chaoba Singh, who was present at the function, promised to request deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani to get her promoted to the rank of assistant commandant.
The weightlifting champion had informed the MP that her promotion had been sanctioned, but the relevant file was yet to be cleared by the office of the deputy Prime Minister.
Chaoba Singh presented Rs 5,000 to Chanu as a mark of appreciation for her achievements at the international level.