Champion sportspersons
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 26, 2021 -

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu :: Manipur Olympics Dreams 2020 Tokyo (Weightlifting)

AFTER MC Mary Kom's bronze medal at the London Olympics, the silver medal won by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in the Tokyo games on Saturday has corroborated that the powerhouse of sports in India tag given to Manipur is not without a reason.

No doubt, Manipur has been producing a number of sportspersons in different disciplines for the last many years with some showcasing their potentials at the highest level of competition and few others simply fizzling out after showing great promise.

However, in Mary Kom and Mirabai, the tiny state having a little over 30-plus lakh population, has demonstrated that there is no shortage of champion materials.

Besides the champion duo, the hallmark of all other Manipuri sportspersons, who made a mark in national and international competitions, has been their ordinary upbringings.

Nevertheless, these champions have been repeatedly proving that impoverishment and pathetic childhood memories could be erased and overcome with resilience, hard work and proper channelling of the combative characteristics inherited from the forefathers of the land.

Their never-saydie spirit guiding them to make podium finish performances is exactly the reason why the Manipuri sportspersons have been the envy of their peers across the country, especially in the neighbouring states.

Inspite of being one of the least developed states, not to mention of the socio-political instability and the huge economic disparities in the society, these champions have been able to lift the spirit of others and make them believe that sports can change one's life for the better if he/she has the determination to tackle the challenges rather than blaming the system or ruing lack of institutional support.

While rewards and lofty accolades are inev-itable after tasting success in global events like the Olympics as could be comprehended from Mary Kom becoming a household name in the country after her London exploits, it is heartening that Mirabai Chanu has won an Olympic silver medal on the first day of the games after 20 years.

Her remarkable feat has not only made the people of Manipur feel majestic but also made all Indians acknowledge contributions of Manipuri sportspersons towards reinvigorating the sports movement in the country, which ironically has been punching well below its weight when it comes to sports.

For sports fans in India, one of the world's most populous nations and claimed to be the fastest growing economies, the Olympic events had been an exercise in despair for the past many decades as countries like the USA, China and European nations usually walk away with multiple medals of varied colours.

It's a reality that India has managed just one gold medal since 1980, when shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first individual to win gold in the 10 metres air rifle event in 2008.

The country's previous gold medals, eight between 1928 and 1980, were all in field hockey.

Ironically, the country's insipid performance at the games could be comprehended from comparisons being drawn between India's medal tally and US swimmer Michael Phelps' individual haul of silverware.

Whether or not India betters its record in the on-going games is unlikely to matter much to the Manipuris but another medal of any colour, preferably gold, from Mary Kom and notable performance by hockey players Sushila and Nilakanta would definitely make the entire state feel proud of its sportspersons.