Obama mentioning my name a moment of pride, says Mary Kom

Champion pugilist MC Mary Kom on Tuesday expressed her delight over U.S President Barack Obama mentioning her name in his speech at the Siri Fort auditorium in the national capital, terming it a 'moment of pride'.

"I would like to thank Obama sir. There are so many sportspeople in India and he took my name in his speech. It is a proud moment for me," said Kom. Meanwhile, former Indian athlete Milkha Singh also expressed his delight over the same saying, "Obama taking names of sportspeople is very encouraging for Indian sportspeople." Earlier in the day, Obama said that the champion pugilist has inspired people across the country.

"Indians and Americans are some of the hardest working people on earth. People like Shah Rukh Khan, Milkha Singh and Mary Kom inspire people," the U.S President said, while addressing a gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium in the national capital. President Obama, who was on a three-day visit of India, concludes his trip later in the day. During the trip, he became the first US president to attend the Republic Day celebrations and the first president to visit India twice while still in office.