One day Manipur will shine in sports
- Jawaharlal Nehru IV National Schools Championship - 1958 Delhi

Soram Lokeshwar Singh *

Jawaharlal Nehru IV National Schools Championship - 1958 Delhi :: Pix - TSE

To promote and organize sports competitions at the school level, the School Games Federation of India was established in December 1954 in Calcutta through the initiative of a few experts in Physical Education. Shri BC Mohanty of Orissa served as the President, while Shri AC Das of Orissa led the Executive Committee.

The first National School Games meet was held in Pachmari, Madhya Pradesh, in 1954, with only seven States participating in events such as football, kabaddi, volleyball, and athletics.

With the growing number of participants and the increasing complexity of organizing these events, the Bombay session of the Federation in 1959 decided to split the championship into two seasonal meets: the Autumn meet in October and the Winter meet in December.

The Autumn meet included football, swimming (boys & girls), kabaddi, kho-kho (girls), table tennis (boys & girls), and basketball (boys & girls). The Winter meet featured hockey (boys & girls), athletics (boys & girls), badminton (boys & girls), volleyball (boys & girls), gymnastics (boys & girls), and wrestling (boys).

Under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India, the 4th National School Games was held in Delhi in December 1958. The main events took place at the National Stadium, which was later renamed the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in 2002. This stadium had also hosted the first Asian Games in 1951.

The Manipur contingent, consisting of 58 members, including 12 girls, participated in this competition for the first time. Thangjam Madhu Singh was the manager of the team and had been preparing diligently since 1955, organizing inter-school sports meets in Imphal. The Manipur contingent, comprising 26 boys and 9 girls, entered the National Stadium for the opening ceremony’s March Past parade.

The girls, dressed in traditional Mapan Naiba Phanek wrapped in a half-saree style, a white Moirang Phee Chadar over a green velvet blouse, led the parade. Their vibrant traditional attire was an eye-catching spectacle. Marching in perfect rhythm with the band, the contingent captivated the audience, receiving a spontaneous round of applause from the gallery.

S Kunjo Singh, one of Manipur’s finest NCC cadets, led his contingent with unwavering pride as the Parade Commander. As they approached the saluting base, his commanding voice rang out with precision and authority, echoing across the grounds.

The dignitaries in the VIP gallery, captivated by Manipur’s impeccable discipline and elegance, responded with thunderous applause, acknowledging the State’s breathtaking performance. Their remarkable display of synchrony and spirit earned Manipur the prestigious first prize in the March Past parade of the opening ceremony, a moment of triumph and honour for the entire contingent.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, a Presidium member at the event, was highly impressed by the Manipuri boys and girls. He expressed his admiration and asked a guard to summon the team’s manager. Th. Madhu Singh, who was conversing with his Bengali friends, promptly responded and saluted the Prime Minister.

Nehru remarked, “Your boys and girls have performed exceptionally well in the March Past today. I truly appreciate your State’s enthusiasm. I am confident that One day, Manipur will shine in sports. A wave of pride washed over Th Madhu Singh as he expressed his heartfelt gratitude. With a deep sense of honour, he returned to his seat, carrying with him Nehru’s inspiring words—a moment of recognition and encouragement that would forever be etched in the hearts of those present.

Seated near the VIP enclosure, Thangjam Ibohal Singh, a cousin of Th Madhu Singh, overheard this historic exchange. He would later recount the Prime Minister’s prophetic words to me when he was alive, ensuring that the moment lived on beyond that day. For Th Madhu Singh, Nehru’s vision for Manipur’s bright future in sports became a lifelong source of inspiration, a reminder that greatness awaited those who persevered with passion and dedication.

At the Delhi National School Games, only 15 States participated, competing in four disciplines : football, volleyball, kabaddi, and athletics. In its debut appearance, Manipur won three gold medals—two by N Maipak Singh in shot put and hammer throw, and one by W Nimai Singh in pole vault.

The closing ceremony took place on December 31, 1958. The March Past parade was mandatory for all teams, as the Jumble March Past had not yet been introduced. Manipur’s contingent once again repeated their stellar performance, receiving widespread applause from the spectators.

That evening, in a gesture of warmth and appreciation, the Prime Minister’s official residence welcomed the Manipur team and other participants for a special tea gathering. As Jawaharlal Nehru made his way to the Manipur camp, he was met with a warm and respectful handshake from Th Madhu Singh.

A photographer, recognizing the significance of the moment, captured the exchange. The image of Th Madhu Singh smiling while shaking hands with Nehru soon found its place in local journals and commemorative souvenirs, preserving the memory for years to come.

Amidst the evening’s heartfelt conversations, Th Madhu Singh expressed his deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister, thanking him for the generous hospitality and for arranging a dedicated railway coach, ensuring the team’s comfortable journey home. It was a moment of honor and appreciation, marking the culmination of an unforgettable experience—one that would remain etched in the hearts of all those who had the privilege to be part of it.

The following are some of the officials and students of Manipur contingent who played a significant role in their respective field of interest in their future career.

1. Thangjam Madhu Singh – A man of intellect and unwavering dedication, began his academic journey at Cotton College, Guwahati, where he graduated in 1950. His passion for physical education led him to YMCA Madras, where he earned a Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) in 1953.

With a keen mind and relentless perseverance, he steadily ascended the ranks of the Government of Manipur’s Education Department, ultimately serving as Director of Education (P) and retiring as Additional Director of Education on February 28, 1988.

His career was marked by remarkable achievements that shaped the landscape of sports and education in Manipur. He played a pioneering role in organizing inter-school sports movements since 1955, fostering a culture of athletic excellence among the youth. As the first Secretary of the Manipur State Sports Council since its inception in 1965, his visionary leadership transformed the sporting infrastructure of the State.

Under his stewardship, Manipur proudly hosted the National School Games in 1962, 1972, and 1975, further establishing its reputation in the National sports arena. During his tenure, a significant portion of the iconic Khuman Lampak Sports Complex took shape, transforming his vision into reality, a landmark that stands as a testament to his commitment to the growth of sports in Manipur.

Through his relentless efforts and far-sighted vision, Thangjam Madhu Singh not only nurtured a generation of athletes but also laid the foundation for Manipur’s rise as a powerhouse in Indian sports.

2. N Brajamani Singh – A gold medalist in pole vault from 1947 to 1953 in Manipur Olympic Sports Meet. He became Manipur’s first NIS-certified football coach in 1962.

3. Kh Tolhal Singh – Assistant teacher at Tombisana High School, actor in Rupmahal Theatre and author of KANG- Its Rules and Origin (1962)

4. Khaidem Pramodini Devi – Lady-in-charge of the girls’ contingent, Assistant Teacher at Tamphasana Girls’ High School and Manipur’s first female gazetted officer. A renowned writer, she published over 32 books and was awarded the Sahitya Bhushan by the Manipur Sahitya Parishad.

5. N. Maipak Singh – A student of Tombisana High School, he won two gold medals in shot put and hammer throw at the IV National School Games in 1958. He later became Mr India (1970) and represented India at the Mr Universe contest in Paris (1971), securing 10th place. He got the best India style of Mythological pose.

6. Prof. (Dr) Nairangbam Bijoy Singh – He was a Professor and Medical Director of RIMS, 1996, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University in 2003. He was elected as MLA in 2007 from the Khurai A/C.

7. L Ranjit Roy – He joined Imphal College as a Lecturer in Education. He dedicated his life as a sports promoter and able administrator working in various capacities at the All Manipur Sports Association, All Manipur Football Association and All Manipur Volleyball Association.

8. S Kunjo Singh – One of the finest NCC cadets, later retired as an Executive Engineer, PWD, Manipur.

9. Aleng Shimray – A talented footballer from Ukhrul. In 1967-68, he captained the Indian University team in the World Students Sports Meet in Mexico. He later retired as Joint Director, YAS, Manipur.

10. Prof. (Dr) E Nandini – Former Professor at RIMS.

11. Ch Kamala Devi – Notable singer and senior broadcaster at AIR, Imphal.

The legacy of these individuals and the inspiration drawn from the words of Jawaharlal Nehru continue to fuel Manipur’s journey toward sporting excellence.

To sum up, the inaugural function of the 5th National Games was held on the 14th February 1999 at the Main Stadium of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. Thangjam Madhu Singh, the real architect of the sports complex was happy to find the mega event was held at the stadium of his cherished dream.

In the morning of the same day, he sat at the front of his temple and prayed to the Almighty for the welfare of all those who had contributed to the construction of the stadium and also for the successful completion of the 5th National Games.

Moments later, tears rolled down from his eyes. It was indeed the tears of joy, but not of sadness on not being invited at the inaugural function.

Now is the time to move beyond past oversights and take meaningful steps to ensure that Thangjam Madhu Singh is honoured and remembered for generations to come. In this aspect a good political leader can make a sea of change for a better society. Some politicians need sports more than sports need them.