manipur cyclists
Image: Northeast Now

Four Manipuri cyclists and a lady official were accorded a warm welcome for bringing home medals from the 26th Asian Track Cycling Championship 2019 held in Jakarta from January 9 to 13.

A simple but meaningful reception cum felicitation function was organized to welcome the young talents namely Laitonjam Ronaldo, Keithellakpam James, Yanglem Rojit and Lanchenba Elangbam and lady coach I Goutamni at Sangai Continental in Imphal on Sunday.

Manipur first hockey Olympian P Nilkamal, international badminton referee H Gyaneshwor, secretary Sunil Elangbam of Manipur Olympic Association, secretary H Bikram of Manipur Cycling Association, Assistant Director Th Thouba of Youth Affairs and Sports (Training and Coaching) and Publisher Nishikant Singh Sapam of ‘The Sangai Express’ attended the function wherein the cyclists and official were feted with mementoes, shawls and cash.

Cyclist Ronaldo, a resident of Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal in Imphal East district fetched two gold and one silver medal for India at the said Asian championship while Keithellakpam James of Awang Khunou in Imphal West district and Yanglem Rojit of Keinou,Bishnupur district bagged a gold medal each. Lanchenba Elangbam of Hiyanglam Makha Leikai in Kakching district bagged a bronze medal.

Expressing that every schools need playground so that more players can be produced, most of the speakers during the felicitation function felt that only sincere dedication and diligent efforts are key to success in any field of life.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]