Controversy after Mary Kom’s husband questions looks of boxer's statue

Two days back, before the matter came to the fore, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had on his official Facebook page said that the Manipur Olympic Park “is all set for inauguration”

Ace boxer Mary Kom’s husband Onler Karong has sparked a controversy after he expressed dissatisfaction over the looks of a statue of her wife, which was recently erected at a park near Imphal.

Nineteen statues of the State's Olympians, including that of Mary Kom, were recently installed at Manipur Olympic Park.

Onler Karong, in an interview with a local newspaper, claimed that the statue which was erected there does not look like her wife, six times World Women's Boxing Champion and 2012 London Olympic Bronze Medallist.

Onler Karong or Mary Kom could not be contacted despite repeated efforts.

However, while talking to PTI, her brother Jimmy Kom claimed that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) assured him that the statue will be replaced before the inauguration of the park, the date of which is yet to be fixed.

When contacted, officials of the CMO told PTI that they will not speak about the issue.

"It is his [Mr. Onler] personal opinion,” Mr. Jimmy said.