Manipur men's hockey team earns historic qualification : Women's team returns after 24 year hiatus
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 07 2025: The Manipur men's hockey team has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the National Games for the first time, while the women's hockey team has secured qualification after a 24-year hiatus.

Both teams will compete in the upcoming 38th National Games, scheduled to take place in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, from January 28 to February 14 .

Previously, the men's hockey team participated as the host team during the 1999 National Games, and the women's hockey team last competed in the event in 2001 in Ludhiana, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Women's team returns after 24 year hiatus

"We are delighted that both our men's and women's hockey teams have qualified to compete in the National Games after a long gap," said N Ibungochoubi, joint secretary and chairman of the Media Committee, Manipur Olympic Association.

"We extend our best wishes to both teams as they represent the state at the National Games, and we are confident in their ability to bring glory to Manipur", he added.

Despite having several renowned hockey players excelling on both national and international platforms, the state's hockey players have historically been unable to participate in the National Games due to various challenges.

Among the 19 Olympians the state has produced since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, hockey boasts the highest number of representatives.

These Olympians include P Nilakomol (Los Angeles 1984), Ksh Thoiba (Seoul 1988), Kh Kothajit (London 2012), K Chinglensana (Brazil 2016), Sh Nilakanta (Tokyo 2020), Th Anuradha (Brazil 2016), and P Sushila (Brazil 2016).Commenting on the state hockey teams' qualification for the National Games, Olympian Ksh Thoiba Singh remarked, "Our state has talented hockey players, but many of them are often engaged with different academies and national camps.

However, this time we had an opportune moment to regroup, which allowed us to perform well in the recently concluded senior national championship".

Thoiba Singh, who represented India at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, emphasised that state players preparing for the National Games should focus on intensive man-to-man marking to adapt to modern game strategies when competing against formidable teams.

In recent years, the performance of the state's hockey teams has seen significant improvement.

The men's team notably defeated Punjab in the senior national tournament held in November last year.

"The youth of Manipur have immense potential to excel in sports, particularly hockey, provided they receive adequate training, equipment, and guidance.

Investment in hockey is certain to yield significant returns for the state," writes Seram Neken, a key official of Manipur Hockey, in one of his writeup "Hockey in Manipur-Past & Present" .

Regular coaching sessions for both the men's and women's hockey teams are currently underway at the Khuman Lampak Astro Turf Hockey Stadium and the Takyel SAI Astro Turf.

These sessions commenced in the second and third weeks of December last year.

Selection trials for the Manipur men's and women's hockey teams, in preparation for the 38th National Games, are scheduled for January 9, 10, and 11 at the Khuman Lampak Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Imphal.

The trials will take place at 8 am and 2:30 pm daily, according to the sources.