Overboard 2018 : The first ever longboard skateboarding competition in India

Lukhendro Keisham *

Overboard 2018 in March, 2018 as part of Tanglei Festival 2018 :: Pix Credit - Focus Monk

Overboard 2018 was the first ever longboard skateboarding championship in India. The competition is a part of Tanglei Festival 2018 by Oinam Sports Association. Acknowledged by My Life On Board, a premier web media site for board riders based in Philippines the Oveboard 2018 was organized in association with Longboard Crew India's Manipur Wing.

The Tanglei Festival as a whole was a multiple days socio - cultural extravagance held at Oinam promoting the local trend and culture in the name of Ibudhou Tangleibung, the local deity of Oinam.

With participants from Quebec (Canada), Mumbai (India) and Manipur (India) the riders competed in two competitive disciplines namely Downhill Race and Push Race. Though planned for 4th March, 2018 the Downhill Race was held on 5th March, 2018 at Waroiching.

At the competition Nicolas Kielback, Khaba Maimon and Sanathoi Angom bagged the first, second and third position respectively whereas Ibomcha Oinam was rewarded with the outstanding performance award.

The Push Race competition was conducted on 6th March, 2018 at Leimaram Road. Due to the unavailability of favourable road stretch the race was set as relay push race with the participants divided into two teams of 6 (six) riders each.

The team consisting of Boris Nongthomba, Sanathoi Angom, Basica Salam, Bikash Huidrom, Pilot Longjam and Vivek Moirangthem bagged the winner's tittle whereas the team consisting of Nicolas Kielback, Khaba Maimom, Antima Bisht, Ruben Wahengbam, Saymond Angom and Rajiankung Gonmei bagged the runner-up's tittle. Nikhil Bhonsale of LCI Mumbai Wing was the race director of all the competition of Overboard 2018.

Overboard 2018 in March, 2018 as part of Tanglei Festival 2018 :: Pix Credit - Focus Monk

The Overboard 2018 was an all self volunteered event by Oinam Sports Association and LCI Manipur Wing. In terms of idea, financial needs, promotion and execution the entire Overboard 2018 was a product of the two. Rigorous recce sessions were carried out during the month of January, 2018 to find the perfect longboarding stretch here in Manipur.

Various promotional activities including poster campaign, bike rides, environmental campaign and cleanliness drives were carried out in various places of Manipur before the event dates. With very limited experiences and resources Overboard 2018 was one of the most challenging event of Tanglei Festival 2018.

Though agreed and confirmed few of the sponsors did not turn up to support the events both in-kind and financially due to which the organizers had to face extra workloads to fulfill the promises. It was the strong unity and commitment of the organizers all events of Overboard 2018 was successfully conducted to term it the first ever longboard skateboarding competition in India.

The organizing volunteers thanked Xavia Racing for sponsoring the gears, My Life On Board for acknowledging the competition, Kumhei.com and Imphal Free Press for promoting the events in their respective media channels, Lumen World for all the printing works, Royal Motors for all the event related rides and campaigns, Club Muzik Events for designing the entire Overboard 2018 and Oinam Sports Association for organizing the Overboard 2018 as a whole.

Special thanks goes to Mr. Radhakishore Laishram, Member of Legislative Assembly of Manipur from Oinam Assembly Constituency who helped and supported in newly blacktopping the Waroiching stretch of the road from Leimaram to Sadu Chiru exclusively for Overboard 2018.

Overboard 2018 in March, 2018 as part of Tanglei Festival 2018 :: Pix Credit - Focus Monk