In her first RS speech, Mary Kom raises concern over training and diet of players

Five-time world boxing champion and nominated member Mary Kom, on Tuesday, expressed concern in Rajya Sabha over the training and the diet provided to players participating in international sporting events.

Making her first intervention in the Upper House during Question Hour after she was nominated as a member in April, Kom expressed concern about proper training for the players as well as quality diet for them. Stressing that the diet should be given to them on time, she said there were instances when the food had arrived just when the players were about to go for a match.

She also extended her best wishes to the Indian Olympic contingent and hoped they would bring back laurels for the country. Her intervention was lauded by the members with thumping of desks.

Minister of State for Sports Vijay Goel, however, said he will look into specific complaints, if any.He said the government was spending as much as Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1 Cr on training each of the 119 players representing India in the Rio Olympics and preparations for the next Olympics in Tokyo have also already started.

Special customised training was being provided to each of the players representing the country in the Olympics and government will try to provide the best training to budding players, he said.