Wushu athlete Mepung Lamgu has offered a personal update on Saturday, addressing concerns that arose due to media reports suggesting she had become unresponsive, causing distress to her family.
Lamgu was among the trio of athletes from Arunachal Pradesh who encountered issues with their accreditation for the Hangzhou Asian Games, as China, the host nation, provided them with stapled visas instead.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Lamgu assured everyone of her well-being, stating, "I am perfectly fine and currently residing at the SAI Hostel. I am in constant communication with my family, and there's no need for any concern. I appreciate the support and concern shown."
This update from Lamgu should alleviate concerns and clarify her situation amidst the accreditation controversy.
The 20-year-old athlete is part of a trio of wushu players hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, all of whom faced visa denials preventing their travel to China for the Hangzhou Asian Games. In response to the discriminatory treatment of the Indian athletes, India's Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur cancelling his planned visit to the country for the continental multi-sport event.
"In line with our long-standing and consistent position, India firmly rejects differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India," an official statement from the MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi read.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also issued a statement of support to all its three athletes. "We stand with the three Asian Games-bound Wushu athletes, taking the utmost care for them at this hour. The 3 athletes are being taken care of at the SAI Hostel," it posted on X (formerly Twitter).