The Velammal Educational Trust, on Thursday, honoured three sportspersons who brought pride and glory to the nation in the 2012 London Olympics — Vijay Kumar (shooting, silver medallist), Mary Kom (boxing, bronze) and Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling, bronze) — at Velammal MHSS (Mogappair). The three were given a cash prize of Rs. five lakh each.
In typical Velammal welcome style, the three Olympians were treated to a rapturous welcome with folk-style dances by the school students.
Mary Kom received the loudest applause when she stood up to speak to the children. “ Vanakkam Velammal School,” she began.
The first Indian woman boxer to win a medal in the Olympics, Mary Kom revealed that it all started for her in Chennai. “My profession started here. This is the second time I’m coming here (referring to the city). I took part in the first National women’s boxing championship in Chennai in the year 2001.” She urged the students to “work hard with determination and willpower.”
The 29-year-old, a mother of twins, said without her husband (who was present at the function) and family’s support, she couldn’t have achieved what she has done now.
She said being a mother and competing in a professional sport has been the biggest challenge.
“Before marriage, anyone can do anything. After marriage and kids, it’s very, very tough.”
Mary Kom stressed her preparations have already started and her ambition was to secure a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Huge source of inspiration
Vijay Kumar said boxers such as Mary Kom have been a huge source of inspiration for him and he learns by watching them keenly in international tournaments.
“This (shooting) is our life, our passion. As far as the future goes, we have a long way to go. We have the Commonwealth Games (2014, Glasgow), Asian Games (2014, Incheon, Korea) and the Olympics (2016, Rio).
Wrestler Yogeshwar said it has been a pleasure to visit Velammal once again.
\D.V. Sundar, Vice-President, FIDE (World chess body) and V. Devarajan, former International boxer, praised Velammal’s contribution to sports.
During the felicitation function, Velammal also launched a new sports scholarship scheme titled ‘Smt. Velammal Memorial Sports Scholarship’ worth Rs. 1 crore.
