Farmer's son brings laurels to Aruchal

Sambo Lapung grabs weightlifting gold in his first senior level competition

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Feb 7: Hailing from a poor farmer's family of East Kameng district of Aruchal Pradesh, 19-year-old weightlifter Sambo Lapung today brought laurels to the country bagging the gold in the 69-kg category.

Recently recruited to the army, Lapung had earlier participated in eight intertiol events at junior level.

This was his first senior-level event.

Asked about the facilities in his home State, Lapung said, "We realize the limitations of the State government. The Central government has to help promote the sport. Modern equipments are coming to the State now."

"We have to spend Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 every month as part of our training. There is no government support. Of course, the federation is doing whatever it can," Lapung, who is now preparing for the Asian championships, said.

Lapung is the lone sportsman from his State in the 12th SAG.