RK Bijoy : Captain of Manipur Police Football Team during 1960s and 70s

Seram Neken *

'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player RK. Bijoy from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri)).....

Badminton, football, Hockey and Kang player RK Bijoy was born in September 1943 to RK Sanajaoba and RK Kumudini of Yaiskul Police Lane (near MDU Hall), Imphal. His sporting career began at Tombisana School with participation in the Inter School Games.

In an interview, the septuagenarian player recalled, "During the 1960/61, Tombisana School became champion (Inter-State Schools) in the Subroto Mukherji Cup held in Delhi. Players in the team included Laishram Ramkumar, Naran Kabui, Kamokumar, Konsam Tomba (former Superintendent of police), Ashokumar, Gobardhon, and myself." By 1963, Bijoy was in the NACO club which lifted the CC Meet champions' title. Some of the players in NACO team were S. Dhiren, Labango, Oinam Yaiskul, Leihaothabam Inaocha, Nisikanta, Longjam Tombi, RK Sanayaima, Iboyaima from Pishum, Biramani from Khurai and Ibotombi.

Before switching on to football, Bijoy had played badminton at the State Games on behalf of Eastern Sporting Union. RK Amubisana from Khongman, the then secretary of ESU instigated him for participation at state games. According to him, Ahanthem Hemchand who was a good badminton player and also adjudged Assam Number one was his favourite contender.

In 1963, Badminton player RK Bijoy represented Manipur in Assam Inter District. Along with his contemporary badminton players such as RK Naba, Shyamachoron, Laishram Paka, Maisnam Guno and Loitam Bino Devi, he went to Tinsukia for the Inter District tournament. During the tour, RK Naba could earn Assam Champion and also got triple crown.

RK Bijoy grasped the runners up position at the National Championship (winter meet) at Patna organized by School Games Federation of India from 27 to 31 December, 1964. Due to waist pain at the finals, he could not play well against the opponent Uttar Pradesh. He was accorded a warm welcome for being the first Manipuri to win prize in badminton at school games.

"In 1964, I got selection in Manipur Eleven football team and took part in Assam Inter District tournament in Dibugarh along with Laishram Naba, Wahengbam Mathang, Basanta Kabui, Y. Bidhu, N. Ramjoy, Laishram Ramkumar, Lourembam Shyama, S. Somorjit, Oinam Yaiskul, Wangkheimayum Nilamani, S. Noren, Longjam Nabadwip, Longjam Tombi, RK Madhurjya etc." Bijoy stated.

He joined service in Manipur Police in 1966 and continued his sports career. In 1967, he went to play for Manipur in Dibugarh for the second time. Team captain was Wahengbam Mathang and other players were Leihaothabam Inaocha, Khangembam Joy, NACO Dhiren, Basanta Kabui, Y. Bidhu, N. Ramjoy, Laishram Ramkumar, Kamokumar, Kabrabam Gopeshore, Dipak Lambu, AK Surjit, Sanglakpam Manihar and RK Bijoy. Manipur team got champions by defeating North Frontier Railways during the tournament.

Manipur Eleven team had an exhibition match with East Bengal team at Imphal Pologround in 1969. In the first march, Manipur beat East Bengal by 3-1 goals, while the second match concluded in a 1-1 draw. During the All India Police Meet held at Berekpur (Calcutta) 1969-70, Manipur and Nagaland Police teams ended in a draw. In fact, Nagaland team was dominated by Manipuri players such as Basanta Kabui, Gopeshore and Ramkumar.

In the Assam Inter District tournament at Barpeta in 1970, RK Bijoy served as team captain of Manipur team which defeated Guwahati by 3-1 goals, with Paophulung scoring all the three goals for Manipur. Paophulung, Y. Bidhu, Angouba, Dipak Lambu, Meino, Ibomcha, Maipak, Chingakham Santikumar, Imocha, Manihar, Kokngangbi and Luingaini were in the Manipur team with BC Singh as team Manager.

In 1968, RK Bijoy along with Basanta Kabui, AK Surjit, Gopeshore, Ramkumar and Aleng Shimray represented Guwahati University at Patna and returned defeated. In October 1971, his Guwahati University team captained by Ramkumar earned runners up position at Calcutta. The same year, he along with Dipak Lambu got selection in the All India Inter University team for Mongolia. However the Mongolia programme was cancelled due to national emergency in India.

For his excellent performance as a football player, RK Bijoy received offers from Bengal Sporting Union on payment of rupees nine thousand a month. However, he refused the offer as he was already working in the police department. As team captain of Police team, Bijoy was hard working player patronized by Mr. Pander, the then AIG of Manipur and Kaminikumar, the team coach.

Recollecting his joyous moments as a player, RK Bijoy narrated, "In celebration of Manipur statehood, Manipur Eleven team played an exhibition match with Police team in 1972. Police team won the match with a solitary goal scored by me. I had the opportunity to receive a gift from the then Speaker of Legislative Assembly Dr. L. Chandramani."

Manipur Police and USA teams got joint winner in 1972 CC Meet. The same year, All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) also got affiliation to All India Football Federation. With team manager Ningthoujam Brajamani, Coach Kaminikumar and Assistant Coach Aheibam Borchand, RK Bijoy participated in the Santosh trophy held at Enarkulam (Kerala) in 1972. Elangbam Ibohal served as referee in the tournament. During the chief minister ship of Md. Alimuddin, Manipur Police and Nagaland Police met in an exhibition match at Imphal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

RK Bijoy who got JCO in Manipur Police in 1974 also played Hockey and was a star player of the indigenous game 'Kang. He participated in the CC Meet Kang tournament held at Keirungbam Mandop at Wangkhei several times. After retirement from service, the veteran player has been switching on to Badminton. He took part in the 36th Senior Veteran National Badminton Championship held at City Sports Complex Bala College from 24 to 28 March, 2012.

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