More Medals for Manipur in 17th Asian Masters Championship 2012, Taipei

Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei *

Following Ima, Hijam Nirmala's footsteps, who got the first gold medal for Manipur and India in the 80 years plus category in 800 meter race on the first day in the 17th Asian Masters Athletics Championships which was just concluded today here in Taipei Taiwan, the ten-men-team from Manipur could win another six more medals.

Out of the six medals, one silver and one bronze were won by Ayung Tampakleima in Shot Put and Hammer throw respectively in 75 years plus category. N. Subadani got a silver medal in hammer throw in 55 years plus group. Mention can be made that N. Subadani got gold in Javelin Throw in the 14th and 16th Asian Masters Athletics Championships in Bangalore, India (2006) and Thailand (2009) respectively.

R.K. Modhubala managed to get a bronze in Javelin Throw. In woman's shot put, K Athar claimed bronze medal in 60 plus category. In Long Jump, L. Pramodini got bronze medal in the 70 plus age group.

In man's 10,000 meters race Md. Najimuddin claimed silver in 55 years plus group. Also, Kh. Lalbabu(75 years plus group) 4th placing in 400m, S. Manihar(65 years plus) 6th place in 10,000m and MD. Najimuddin(55 years plus) managed to get 4th in 5,000m races respectively.

It is amazing that such a small team from Manipur could manage to get seven medals in total considering the poor diet, infrastructures, poor financial backgrounds; and very poor and neglected publicity about these veteran athletes.

Here, we are not talking about local or Indian national games but International level championships where they had to face many strong competitors from advanced, developed, richer and stronger countries like Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and my new country, Taiwan, just to mention some.

It was never easy for the Manipuri team, again considering the problems they faced in Manipur, busy running around for all the necessary documents plus depositing two hundred thousand rupees in their bank accounts. Without this sum of money in their accounts, they could never get visa to come to Taiwan for the championships. Instead of practicing for the championship they were so busy running around for help from their relatives and friends; and friends' friends.

Beside these problems they also had to take care of their family members, household chores, office works and other cultural and social gatherings.

Even after having the amount in their accounts they were never sure if they would be given visa. Because of these problems, two of the selected athletes who were very hopeful for gold medals could not get visa in the last moment. What a pity. We have missed two gold medals.

But with a 'never-give-up' attitude, hard work and will power and the will to win, they still could defeat those competitors from other countries. It was their determination that they could win in spite of facing so many problems.

But it is very sad that it seems, we, the young people, especially the Media in Manipur cannot see the hidden values that lie behind these heroes. I was told that the Media in Manipur only focus on the young sportsmen, other crimes and killings which could only disturb the peace of the mind. I was told that many people in Manipur even joke saying, "Veteran sportsmen go to competitions just for fun".

But allow me to ask this question, "Would you be able to walk even properly when you are seventy, eighty or ninety years old?" Forget about running, jumping, throwing; and competing with others at this age. If you can even walk properly and recognize even your family members you are lucky!

They may not run as fast as the young athletes, they may not throw as far as the young ones but as an International title holder and world class sportsmen, I can tell you that you can never beat their experiences and the sports spirit they have.

Personally, I will consider myself as one of the most blessed, healthiest and lasting sportsman, if I could still train when I reach seventy years old. It's not too late for we young people to learn to respect these invisible heroes and follow their footsteps so that we too can shine and bring laurels for Kangleipak even in our old age.

They should be given the respect and publicity they deserve for their heroic performances. Hope, they would be given a hero's welcome at their home state, Manipur for their heroic and excellent jobs. Hope, they receive encouragements and appreciations, at least from their own people so that many younger generations can follow their footsteps by following their good habits and healthy lifestyle.

Finally, with all my heart and respect, I salute to you all, you old heroes of Manipur. May your sport spirit and health be with you and win again in the coming years to come.