Kumam Nipamacha : A Leading Sports Person from Moirang

Seram Neken *

But for the recollections made in the Hueiyen Lanpao editions, hundreds of sports-lovers and players of Manipur would have been forgotten by the present generation. ‘ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS’ reproduces here the profile of veteran player Kumam Nipamacha from Ratneshwori Goswami’s Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Moirang has been known for its past glory in sports, art and culture. This beautiful place in Bishnupur district of Manipur may be described as the cradle of a number of indigenous games. Legends speak of the forefathers of Moirang who were excellent in Mukna, Kangjei, Boating, Horse Riding etc. People of Moirang have been characteristic of their strength and valour.

Kumam Nipamacha, the veteran sportsman belongs to this historic place. In an usual joke, the former Manipur Chief Minister M. Koireng once described Kumam Nipamacha as the strongest person of Moirang, just as he himself was the wisest person of the area. From the very beginning, Kumam clan in Moirang has been enthusiastic in Games and Sports.

Born in 1937, Nipamacha is the son of Kumam Khunjao and Hemam Ningol Kumam Ongbi Chanu of Moirang Kumam Leikai. He started schooling at the age of 10 years at Moirang Boys LP School, one of the oldest schools in Manipur. While he was studying in Class VIII/IX, his enthusiasm in sports grew only to become a renowned player, coach and pioneer of sports.

In an interview with Ratneshori Goswami of Hueiyen Lanpao Daily, Nipamacha recalled that he learnt techniques of Discus Throw from Oja Babu and Nongthonbam Maipak from Imphal during his schooldays.

In 1958/59, he participated in the 5th National School Games, and got third position in Discus Throw. He also joined the training on throw organized by Thangjam Oja Modhu with the Coach V. E. Ishok from Madras in 1959/60. At the National School Games held in Bombay in 1960, he grasped third position in Discus Throw while N. Maipak won gold in shot put. The state team also became champion in Football. He was rather known by many as Bombay Nipamacha, for he was the first sportsman from Moirang to play in Bombay.

Nipamacha narrated an interesting story regarding the satisfaction he got from participating in the sports competition in Bombay. It was during winter in 1960 that he was posing in the field at Tronglaobi by wearing the Manipur labeled sports shirt he got from Bombay tour, while Oja Modhu happened to come back from Churachandpur. The respected Oja Modhu warmly accorded him in his vehicle and dropped him again by offering snacks from Moirang Lamkhai.

According to him, it was the happiest moment in his life. At the 1961 State Games, Kumam Nipamacha stood first position in hammer throw. The same year, he was adjudged as the best thrower of Guwahati University. During 1960-61, he represented Guwahati University in the All India Inter University Championship in Hyderabad and grasped fourth position in Discus throw. In the National School Games held in 1961 in Kerala, Nipamacha won third positions in both Hammer and Discus throws. In 1962 and 1972, he took part in the National School Games, hosted by Manipur. He also joined the athletic training imparted by a Coach from USA, Charlie Jenkins in May 1962.

From 1966, he became a teacher of Moirang High School, which later known as Moirang Multipurpose School. In addition to his teaching profession, he took keen interest in games and sports. He participated in the All India Inter University Championship in Calcutta.

As a sports lover, Nipamacha also joined the NIS training at a later period of his life, after he had six children. Other trainees from Manipur by that time were Punya from Uripok in Football and Surja in Kabbadi. While undergoing the NIS training, has had the opportunity to play Golf and became a Golf player. After coming back from NIS training, he began to groom young players and supplied them to various clubs such as Young Physique Union and TRAU. Kumam Nipamacha was instrumental in the formation of All Moirang Football Association (AMOFA) in 1985-86.

From 1972 to 1980, Moirang stood champions in Kho Kho and Basketball events under his dedicated supervision. A number of athletes trained by him won positions in the annual Mega Marathons. By the way, a number of players have so far joined services in the Assam Regiment, SSB etc.

At present, he is providing training to around 35 players every morning and evening. Others impart training for earning money, but Nipamacha does it as a hobby and in love of sports. He is spending 3/4 thousands per month from his pension amount in training young players.

Majority of Footballers from Moirang were nurtured by Nipamacha. His contributions in the field of games and sports will ever be remembered by the posterity.

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