Tokyo 2020: Mirabai Chanu returns home to hero’s welcome
Mirabai Chanu was seen hugging her mother Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Leima and her father Saikhom Kriti Meitei with tears rolling down her face at Imphal’s Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
Nirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal in Tokyo Olympics, prepares to leave in a car after arriving at the airport in New Delhi. (AP) “Long live Mirabai, long live Manipur”. The slogan reverberated the streets of Imphal on Tuesday as Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu made her way to her native village of Nongpok Kakching.
Chanu landed at Imphal’s Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in the afternoon. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was there to receive Chanu, as were hundreds of well-wishers and supporters seeking a glimpse of the weightlifter.
From the airport, Chanu was escorted to the city convention centre where she was given a grand reception by the state government. During the felicitation event, Chanu was handed an award of over Rs one crore and an appointment letter to the post of Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) by the chief minister. The amount was for athletes from the state who win medals at the ongoing Olympics.
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