Mary Kom vows to help aspiring Darj boxers

Bijetri Biswas, SNS, Darjeeling, 29 September, 2015: Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, or more popularly MC Mary Kom, or yet just Mary Kom, the Indian boxing star and an Olympic bronze medallist, today promised all aspiring boxers from Darjeeling free training in Manipur.

"If anyone from Darjeeling is sincerely interested in boxing, let me know, and come to Manipur. I will extend full support and everything will be provided to them free of cost," said Kom, the five-time World Amateur Boxing champion, who has decided to concentrate on her own boxing academy after retirement after the Rio Olympics 2016.

She was attending the annual sports meet of the Nepali Girls Higher Secondary school (NGHS) here today."I hope youngsters from Darjeeling take up sports as their career and not just boxing," added the boxing icon. Talking to the Press about her training for the Rio Olympics, she said, "I am trying my best to qualify. The government has been providing all the support." Asked about her recent allegation of being a victim of "regional bias" for hailing from the North East during her trials and selections, she said, "Since many years I have proved myself in the ring. But even now I have to continue to prove myself in the ring."

The 32-year-old Mary Kom, who was accompanied by her husband, R Onler Kom, said the mantra for making dreams come true is discipline, dedication, hardwork, sacrifice and willpower. "I am proud to be a woman. But being a woman is very challenging. You have to fight and prove yourself," added the boxer, who is also a mother of three.

The NGHS is celebrating the 125th anniversary this year. "The celebrations will conclude in May next year with a dance drama written by Rabindranath Tagore," said the Headmistress of the NGHS school, Aditi Biswas.

"Mary Kom is a woman icon, her humble beginning and her struggles are an inspiration to all. She is an inspiration to the students of the NGHS, many of whom are underprivileged," she said.

Mary Kom also said that the boxing arena has been witnessing a number of changes after she bagged medals at the Asian Games and Olympics and after a Bollywood film based on her life was released.

"After I won the medals in the Asian games and the Olympics and after the movie was released, many people have been inspired by me and many young boxers are coming up," she said.

This is Mary Kom's second visit to Darjeeling. Monday's programme at the St Joseph's school ground also saw the presence of the Deputy Chief of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Col Ramesh Allay, GTA executive member Asha Gurung, Chairman of Darjeeling Municipality Amar Singh Rai and International Marathan runner Roshni Rai.