ITANAGAR, Jun 13: The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)-2021 Silver medalist in Weightlifting Sandiya Gungli got rousing welcome  by Gungli Welfare Society (GWS) and her well-wishers at Hollongi check gate  here on Monday.
Speaking to the reporters, Sandiya Gungli said that her dream is to represent the state in the Olympics and national games. She said winning the silver couldn't have been possible without the guidance of her coach, family and the KIYG Chef de Mission (CDM) Karbia Dodum.
She said her fight was to win the Gold for the state but due to some reasons it could not happen. However, she assured that with sheer determination and hard work, one day she will win a Gold medal for the state.
Weightlifting Head Coach and former Air force Officer, Harnim Singh said though this is the first medal in his tenure as coach but his goal is to prepare the athletes to represent the state in international games. My next dream is to win medals in the next Olympics, he said.
Singh said that though the SAI is providing every basic needs of the athletes, there is still a need for financial support in terms of providing them proper food supplements. He said most of the athletes are from poor backgrounds and therefore can’t afford many supplements which are costly.         
“Therefore, I appeal to the state government and well-wishers to support financially in bit and bites. And I assure that the athletes from the state can perform much better in any national and international games,” he said, assuring medals in Olympic Games.     
He said a letter has been sent to the SAI to induct five more athletes, which he is sure that the department will accept the proposal. As of now there are seven girls and 11 boys in weightlifting.  
“Due to the Covid pandemic, much official work in recruiting and proper training of the athletes was halted. Due to which visiting districts and recruiting potential athletes could not be performed.  However, we are hopeful that this year all the lacunas will be filled,” he added.      
Meanwhile, Gungli Welfare Society (GWS) President Gungli Davi said that Sandiya has made the entire members of the society proud by winning in the KIYG. Moreover, society is also ensuring every possible help for her to win in the Olympics.
Gungli was accompanied by her friend Yukar Amak who missed to win Bronze in the KIYG. She said that though she could not win a medal today, her dream to win medals for the state in other national and international games is intact. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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