Pushpa is just 12 and is part of Manipur's next generation of sporting powerhouse but her dream to be world champion like many other Manipuri sportsperson such as boxer M C Mary Kom, may get shattered because of inadequate facilities. "I want to be a champion, please help," she told sports minister Ajay Maken in Imphal on Tuesday. "There is no coach and sports equipment is very old." Pushpa, a kuzushi martial art player, who goes by her first name, was among 300 bidding sportsperson who interacted with Maken at National Sports Academy in Imphal this week and briefed him about the petty problems they face to aspire for their sporting career.Manipur with a population of less than 0.2 % of India 1.20 billion people was first among Indian states in the recently concluded National Games in Jharkhand. And, its representation in the Asian games was also impressive with three of its boxers winning bronze medals. Such a record also made Maken admit, "Future of Indian sports lies in Manipur. Sports persons demand facilities - Hindustan Times
