Eleven-year-old Thanglalmon Thomson from Government Middle School, Phaipijang in Dimapur has climbed his way to become one of the best rock climbers in the sub-junior category in India, but the tallest and the toughest obstacles he has had to face thus far is the lack of financial assistance.
Even as he prepares to represent India in the Asian Kids Rock Climbing Championships scheduled at Bangkok in Thailand from December 7 to 9, uncertainly looms large over his participation.
Thanglalmon was earlier selected to represent India in the Asia Cup held in Malaysia in 2015, but he and his trainer Marnungden Walling of Nagaland Sport Climbing Association (NSCA) were unable to travel to Malaysia due to financial constraints then. If adequate finances pour in this time, it will be the first time that a rock climber in the sub-junior category from Nagaland and the Northeast will be representing India at Asian Kids Rock Climbing Championship. But with barely a week to go, Thanglalmon and his trainer Marnungden Walling are yet to receive any financial aid for their travel expenses and for Thanglalmon to apply for a passport.
On Wednesday, the duo of Thanglalmon and Marnungden uploaded a video on Facebook seeking financial assistance from the public. When this reporter spoke to Marnungden on Thursday, it was learnt that the amount they had received till the time of filing this report was a paltry Rs 5,000. He, however, did not lose hope, stating that he would approach businessmen in Dimapur to get financial help to travel to Bangkok.
Marnungden further revealed that he had even visited sports & youth affairs department office but was unable to meet the director. He, however, added that higher education and technical education minister Temjen Imna Along had sent him an e-mail expressing his desire to meet him.
Thanglalmon had recently competed in the National Open Championship held at Indore, Madhya Pradesh from October 27 to 29 where he secured the fourth position. His trainer Marnungden accompanied him as the team manager in the competition. Thanglalmon was discovered in 2014 by rock climber Marnungden Walling, who is a member of NSCA and has also represented the State in several competitions.