GUWAHATI: The Muay Thai Association of Meghalaya on Thursday felicitated martial arts athlete, Monica Nongrum for bagging a bronze medal at the recently concluded Asian Muaythai Championship 2018 in China.
A resident of Umsawnongkharai near Nongpoh in Ri-Bhoi district, Monica had taken to kickboxing and wushu since her childhood but Muaythai wa only taken up by her two years back.
A national contingent comprising 10 athletes of Muaythai brought laurels for the country with one silver and six bronze medals.
Dean of School of Humanities, Dr Streamlet Dkhar, who was the chief guest at the felicitation programme in Shillong, appreciated Monica for her feat at the international level while urging stakeholders in the state to come forward with logistics support for young athletes to excel in martial arts.
Dkhar, who was a boxer in the yesteryears, expressed satisfaction that an increasing number of women have excelled in sports at the highest level of late.
Angelus Sun, the president of Muay Thai Association of Meghalaya (MTAM) called for support from the concerned department and well wishers so that the association could scout, tap and produce talented athletes who could represent the country in martial arts.
Philanthropist Vikash Gupta and chief adviser to MTAM, stressed the need to leverage skill, talent and passion for martial arts to a higher level so that the Centre could bring in more human resources development in the Northeast.
Ronnie M Rani and Lorenzo Pearson Warjri, general secretary and financial secretary of MTAM respectively, also spoke on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Monica recalled that her journey to the championship has not been smooth in regard to funds and logistics. She expressed her gratitude to MTAM and other well wishers who helped and supported her.
Monica, it may be noted, will represent the country at the World Muaythai Championship in Bangkok from July 20 to 28, 2019.
