Magnificent Mary contemplates social work

“I want to contribute to the society, develop the roads, make sure the kids don’t face a problem while going to school,” she said. No, she isn’t a social activist or a politician making promises ahead of polls. She is a five-time World Boxing champion from Manipur, a mother of three and the first female boxer from India on whom a biopic is being made — Mary Kom.

The pugilist, who is used to taking sabbaticals, aspires to wear many hats in the next few months. The champion said she would try to solve the problems in her society and help “my people in Manipur”.

Mary Kom, who is in the city on a personal visit, said her first priority lies in repairing the roads of Imphal including the one named after her.

“The roads get really bad during the rain. The women and children have been facing a lot of problems. I’m supposed to meet them and discuss the issues and also contribute financially along with the other families to improve the situation.

“I’m not much worried about myself as my zone is a little better. But zone three and four is in a dilapidated condition,” she said.

For Mary, the latest accomplishment has been the inauguration of her Boxing Academy in Imphal, with an aim to tap the booming talent in the region. But Magnificent Mary, as she is fondly called, could not extract time out of her schedule to develop her brainchild.

“I didn’t get time to meet the kids at all. I can’t even tell you who all are promising in the bunch,” she said. “Now I plan to meet them often and modernise the school. At present, the situation is not very good due to monsoons.”

One may wonder how rain could play spoilsport to boxing, an indoor sport. However, the truth is the school doesn’t have an indoor facility. Even Mary grew up training in open air.
“But the situation has changed since the last few years. A female doesn’t face taunts when seen in the ring which I had to deal with during my initial days,” she said.

“To add to that, now there is a lot more scope in boxing. I am grateful to Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) for taking initiatives to help people like us.”

Talking about the biopic, she said, “I am overwhelmed that a superstar (Priyanka Chopra) is going to wear my gloves. The very fact that she is training with boxing coaches shows her dedication. She is so committed to her work that she wanted to read my life and hence, came to meet me.”

In her home town, people prefer local films and Kom believes her film “will not only bring in the Bollywood flavour but also inspire a lot of youngsters.”

Call it her stars or determination, but Mary Kom has won some tournament or the other after all her sabbaticals. She is next eyeing the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. “I will slowly start training after seven-eight months and go for the kill after I get into the groove,” she added.