'Nobab' play to Durand Cup

Free Thinker *

A scene from the film 'Nobap' directed by Heisnam Tomba

This is for the first time the Durand Cup has been held in Manipur (of course with 2 other States). Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh ji came to Imphal to inaugurate the game. Perhaps he was stunned by the overwhelming crowd at Khuman Lampak. The stadium was jam-packed, which has a capacity of 25,000.

It is a huge crowd fora tiny State. Hundreds could not enter the stadium. They were grumbling and grudging as many of them were bona fide ticket holders. NEROCA and TRAU played before the rousing audience. MLA Arun was jumping up and down whenever the ball approached the TRAU goal posts. Hon. CM was trying to be normal and neutral.

TRAU MLA and supporters including one sports Director were helpless. The game was over in favor of NEROCA. Ina game of sports, one has to accept the outcome sportingly. Hon. CM and Hon. Union Minister of External Affairs and almost all State VVIPs were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Hon. CM's love for football was quite evident. Just before the inauguration of Durand, he made a live demo on social media of his football skills in full attire. Despite having a heavy body and bulging belly his skills and techniques are almost intact.

When we were children we used to play 'Nobab' (pomelo) as football. Most of us played with `Nobab'. We contributed money — 5-10 rupees each for buying a proper football. Hon. CM might also have some experience with Nobab' in his locality before he was exposed to real leather football.

Later on, he became a very good football player in the BSF. Mind you BSF had won 7 Durand Cup finals and they were runners-up twice. Durand is a golden opportunity to make the game of football more popular and more viable in the State. If some affluent people come together and start a coveted tournament with huge prize money, we can do wonders in these sports too.

Otherwise, we may make the 'CC Cup' a lucrative and attractive affair so that famous clubs come and take part willingly and enthusiastically. There was a sub-junior football tournament played out in Sri Bijoy Govinda ji 'lampak', Sagolband. We used to play my neighborhood club lost miserably in the first round ( 6-0 ).

We did not go for the second match. I still remember I was the goalkeeper, our regular goalkeeper was suffering from exams. Many players from Manipur are playing for various prominent clubs in different parts of the country. Most of them are very good players. We are happy to learn the fact that they are earning handsomely and a few of them have crossed one crore. That is extremely encouraging.

Most of them are playing in the FCs of Bengal, Goa, Punjab, Kerala, and Maharashtra., some are playing for the Armed Forces & PSUs. Playing for the Clubs has become a lucrative affair. Many more boys can become good national as well as international players.

Things we lack are the training academies and infrastructure at the District level. Except for a few districts, proper training and playgrounds are not there. Though we have abundant talents in the hills and rural areas we are still unable to tap those tale.

The whole country knows that we are a sports power-house. We have intrinsic sports talent and a fighting spirit. That is why a Sports University is given to us. But the progress of this university is retarded clue to the pandemic and other factors and issues.

Now it is going to pick up. We are told the new VC will be a localite. If this sports university starts functioning properly there will be more scope for talent hunting. There is no second opinion about the sporting capabilities of the State. But proper tapping of talents is lacking.

Once I teased the then Sports Minister that "let Manipur alone represent India in any Games, we can bring more modals". He had a hearty laugh and said, "That is not possible but a point to ponder". Durand Cup is being organized by the Armed Forces, Durand Football Tournament Society, and AIFF with full cooperation of the Chief Minister's office.

We are told that CM himself is taking care of each and every requirement. However, the need for AC buses for the players from outside is ill-suited because Manipur is already a naturally air-conditioned land. It is a request to the organizers and sport-authorities that big display screens (Jumboton type) may be arranged for better viewing inside the stadium.

If possible one screen outside the stadium may also be installed so that the crowd left outside may also enjoy the match live. Four such screens may kindly be sponsored in the public interest - one each by Shija, Sangai, Classic, and Unacco, they are not Shylocics, they are good Samaritans and they will do the needful.

It is too late for the ongoing Durand so, such screens may be set up for the next big sporting event.