Boxing champ Mary Kom’s visit enlivens Tura

Shillong, November 23: Tura, the West Garo hills district headquarter, and the residents were privileged on Saturday to have Olympic boxing medalist and the sensation of India Mary Kom amongst them. She came to grace the finals of the 8^th MP Football Tournament as the chief guest.

A host of dignitaries mainly politicians were also present during the football finals with more than five thousand people turning up to watch the football as well as the woman boxing sensation of the nation.

The tournament was organized by Tura Lok Sabha constituency MP Agatha Sangma who was present along with father PA Sangma, brothers Conrad Sangma and Dadenggre legislator James Sangma.

Addressing the gathering, Agatha said, “We are really fortunate to have the privilege of having Mary Kom amongst us as the chief guest for the event. She has been an inspiration for the people of the North East and has shown that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. This tournament was started by former Tura MP PA Sangma eight years ago and the enthusiasm has meant that we carry it forward even during my time”.

Mary Kom, the five times World Boxing Champion and Olympic medalist expressed her happiness for being there and also give the audience a brief glimpses into her life before she became a boxing sensation.

Kom said, “I started my career early and used to even play football. I had four challenges, first I had to challenge the men and then I had to challenge the society which said that after sport marriage was an impossible. But I won the championships after marriage. Then the third challenge was that when I became a mother and the last was the Olympics. I had to change my category from 48 kg to 52 kg and had to compete, but managed a medal at the Olympics.”

Kom said there are talents within the NE region and there is no reason why others cannot succeed when she did.

The football final between the 2nd MLP Battalion and Druma Sandruma was also very competitive but Druma Sandruma won the match by margin of 3-1. – By Our Reporter