Longjam Nabadwip : A known footballer of the state during the 1960s

Seram Neken *

Although the nation recognizes Manipur as powerhouse of sports only today, the state has been remaining as the greatest producer of players of various sports for the last many years. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player L. Nabadwip from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Longjam Nabadwip was born in 1946 to L. Angangjao and Leirik Devi of Khangempalli Nganapithong Imphal. As a known football player, he was in the field for more than a decade during the 1960s. He got training from senior players such as Ningthoujam Brajamani, Sougaijam Biren, Rebati etc.

Initially, Nabadwip started playing Football under Imphal Sporting Club, and later joined in the TRAU team. According to the veteran Football player, his senior players were Naba, Syama, Sougaijam Noren and Wangkheimayum Nilamani. In an interview, the one time footballer in back half position who is at present unwell due to a blood pressure stroke a few years back remembered some of his football colleagues in TRAU club as Laishram Naba (Left In), Wangkheimayum Nilamani (Half), RK Ladu (Back), Potsangbam Jugin (Forward), AK Surjit (Centre Forward), Khomdram Suren (Forward), Oinam Sanayaima (Back) etc. Nabadwip further said, "I was in the Assam Team (Junior) during the Santosh Trophy held in Cuttack along with Tondonba and Khangembam Joy".

"I started playing under TRAU team while Oinam Raghumani was the secretary of the club", Nabadwip narrated adding that during the tenure of Konjengbam Iboyaima TRAU team could reach finals of the CC Meet. In 1961, Nabadwip was a Right Half position player in the TRAU football team which defeated NACO in the final. However, in 1963 NACO got champion defeating his TRAU team in final.

In the Assam Inter District tournament held at Dibrugarh in 1964, Nabadwip played along with Lourembam Shyama, Laishram Naba, RK Madhurjit, S. Somorjit, O. Yaiskul, S. Ojit etc. Again in the same year, they participated in the Inter school competition in Calcutta. Oja Chandrakala from lairikyengbam Leikai led the school team for the tournament. By 1965, he participated in the Assam Inter District tournament held in Shillong as a senior team player of Manipur that lifted the champions title. In the final match, Manipur defeated Shillong by 3-2 goals.

During his days in Imphal College in 1963-64, he served as the Games Secretary of the students' union. He was an all rounder player who pursued Football, Athletics and Hurdles. Nabadwip received a number of prizes in the State Games conducted by All Manipur Sports Association. In the 9th Inter College Sports Festival held in Nagaon in 1963, he won second position in 200 meter Hurdles race. Again in 1965, he got third position in 400 meter Hurdles during the Sports Meet organized by Assam Olympic Association.

He joined in the Football coaching camps conducted at Imphal with S. Mewalal and again with Premlal as the coaches invited from outside the state. He also got a brief training from Mr. Boure, the one time Footballer from Ukhrul. According to the veteran player, the erstwhile All Manipur Football Association took enormous initiatives for promotion of Football in Manipur.

In 1968, he became a government employee with the initiative of Oja Thangjam Modhu who was the then Sports Director of state government. Having trained in Leather Crafts for three years, he served as the Crafts Instructor for a long time, only to retire from service in 2006. The happiest moment to the veteran player Longjam Nabadwip was his participation in the Torch Rally marking the opening of 5th National Games in Manipur in 1999.

As a sports lover, he also led the sports contingents of Manipur as Manager to various tournaments and championships. For the last few years, the retired footballer has been unable to talk and walk properly due to a stroke. The present generation will never forget his achievements and contributions towards promoting sports in the state.

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