By Felix Anthony
Bordumsa, Jan 17, 2022: A young boy from a remote village of Arunachal Pradesh has won the national championship in power lifting competition.
Ongbem Mossang was given a rousing reception January 17 on his return to his native village, Magantong in Changlang district.
The 21-year-old youth from the Tangsa tribe represented Arunachal Pradesh in the national championship event organised by the World Power Lifting Congress India January 8 and 9 at Noida in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
More than 180 contestants from across the country took part in the two-day event. Eleven of them were from Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern Indian state.
Speaking at the felicitation ceremony organized by the village community, the deadlift champion said, “Winning such a tough competition is not easy. It takes a lot of sacrifices, sweat and blood and painstaking preparation and hard work. But I am not doing it for myself. If my achievement can inspire at least one youth from my area to give up mobile and drug addiction, my winning becomes more meaningful.”
Recounting what led him to such tough sport, Ongbem said, “I was the most notorious boy from my village indulging in all kinds of bad habits. I am lucky to have come across friends who guided me with right advice at the right time. I owe it to my friends and seniors who advised to me join gym to cultivate healthy habits. After my initial hesitation, they also enrolled me in World Power Lifting Congress Arunachal Pradesh. And here I am.”
Ongbem is the second of the four sons of Bemtang Mossang, a police constable and Hiramoni Mossang, a home maker.
Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao met the champion on his arrival in Arunachal Pradesh and congratulated him for bringing cheers to all in the state in these trying times. “You are an example for many of our youth who are lost to mobile phones and addictions of all kinds. With your achievement, you bring your village to the map of India. It is people like you that our interior villages of Arunachal Pradesh come to the light,” the Salesian prelate said.
The village community was seen beaming with pride of the achievement of the young boy.
“It is indeed a matter of great pride for the whole village. A boy from our unknown village has registered his name in the national records and this will indeed inspire many young boys and girls to excel in different fields”, said Khulkum Mossang, the village Catechist.
Local MLA, Somlung Mossang, also congratulated Ongbem and expressed his appreciation with the cash reward of one lakh rupees for his further training.
Real talents are hidden in the last villages of Arunachal Pradesh. If our Government could help young boys like Ongbem, we can also have Mirabai Chanus and Lovlina Borgohains from our villages, said Mankhul Mossang, a village leader.