Manipur CM launches Cheer4India campaign to encourage Olympians

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said the state will award Rs 1.2 crore for the gold medal, Rs 1 crore for the silver medal and Rs 75 lakh for the bronze medal at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

In addition, the state will also award Rs 25 lakh to each of the five Olympians from the state representing India.

Singh made this announcement at the launch of ‘Cheer4India’ campaign to encourage athletes for the Olympics.

CM Biren Singh said on Twitter: “Launched the Tokyo Olympic #Cheer4India campaign in Manipur too as a way of cheering the athletes representing India.”

Appreciating the initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted “Manipur is a powerhouse of sporting talent. Good effort by the Manipur government to #Cheer4India and to inspire youngsters to pursue sports.”

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is scheduled to start in Japan on July 23 and continue till August 8.

Singh further said the state will initiate activities like virtual felicitation of athletes’ families, Olympic quiz, Road to Tokyo 2020 fan engagement drives and Olympic Symposium. The state will also set up selfie points where people can click pictures and show their support.

All these activities will be conducted keeping the COVID-19 pandemic situation in mind and with the utmost care, he added.

The five sportspersons from Manipur are six-time world champion pugilist MC Mary Kom for women’s boxing (51kg), former Indian women national team captain Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam in women’s hockey, Shanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma in men’s hockey, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (women’s 49kg) and judoka Likmabam Shushila Devi ( women’s 48kg).