Mary Kom wants to groom youth of north-east

Olympic bronze medallist M C Mary Kom on Wednesday reiterated that she wanted to groom boxers from the north-east states at her boxing academy in Manipur.

"I want to do something for the region and whoever is interested in boxing can join my academy," she said at the opening ceremony of the third North East Youth Festival at Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy Complex at Chimpu, near here.

Urging youths of the region to bring sporting laurels to their states, Mary Kom cited her own example -- rising from a poor fanmily to win medals at the Olympics.

"You have energy and talent to excel in the field of sports. Never look back, but work hard and success will be yours," she said.

The Arunachal Pradesh government presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to 'Magnificent Mary' on the occasion as a token of appreciation for her Olympic feat.