Football star Bembem accorded rousing reception

IMPHAL | Aug 30

Woman footballer of the state, Oinam Bembem who received the prestigious Arjuna award will be inducted in the state sports expert committee, in recognition of her outstanding achievement.

This was announced by youth affairs and sports minister, Letpao Haokip and art and culture minister, L. Jayantakumar during the grand reception ceremony of Bembem organised by United Pioneers’ Club today at Ereima Shanglen, Pishumthong Oinam Leikai.

Speaking at the reception ceremony, Letpao Haokip said Bembem is the pride of Manipur and her perseverance has paid dividend. He promised a playground to the locality where Oinam Bembem belongs in acknowledgment of her outstanding achievement. He further said that Bembem would certainly be an inspiration to many talented women footballers of the State.

The minister also lauded the achievements of the State sportspersons of the State despite several constraints. He further encouraged sportspersons of the State to strive for excellence in whatever disciplines they have chosen.

The minister was all praises to the sportspersons who made the State known to the world as Sports powerhouse. It was the achievements and strides made by the sportspersons that pave the way for a National Sports University in Manipur, the minister said.

The reception ceremony was attended by L. Jayantakumar, MLA of Mayang Imphal A/C Kongkham Robindro, corporator of ward No. 13 IMC, Oinam Romeo, teachers of Oinam Bembem and sports lovers.

Addressing the gatherings, Bembem, who is the second Indian woman footballer to win the Arjuna Award after Shanti Mullick (1983), said she dedicated the award to the people of the State and to all women of the country.

Saying that her focus now would shift to giving guides and trainings to women footballers as coach, Bembem urged budding women footballers of the State to shed any inhibition and take up the sport.

Bembem, who is also known as the flag bearer of Indian women’s football for over two decades, represented India in 85 games and scored overwhelming 32 goals before she finally hanged her boots about two years back.

Earlier in the day, a rousing reception was accorded to the footballer by family, locals and sports lovers at Imphal Airport.

It may be mentioned that sportspersons from the State Bembem (footballer) and Devendro Singh (Boxing) were among few other sportspersons of the country who received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind yesterday.