Rugby player Holina Ningombam calls for nurturing talent

Rajachandra Mutum *

Rugby player Holina Ningombam calls for nurturing talent :: Pix - Chronicle News Service

Seventeen-year-old Holina Ningombam of Ningomthong Kitna Panung in Imphal East district is turning out to be player to reckon with in Indian Rugby. Though she initially embraced wrestling, judo, and vovinam, her recent leap into Rugby has been nothing short of impressive.

After only a few months in the sport, Holina represented India in the Asia U-18 Girls' Rugby Championship 2024 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where the Indian team secured the bronze medal. Despite her swift ascend, Holina believes that more promising players from Manipur could emerge if the state has a dedicated play held for Rugby.

Born to Shyamkumar Ningombam and Sunita, Holina is the third of four children, all passionate about sports. Her eldest sister, Jenista, is an international Muay Thai player, and her second sister a national-level wrestler. Even her younger brother has followed the family tradition, starting his journey in Muay Thai.

Growing up in such an environment, Holina s determination and athletic spirit were deeply ingrained.

In an interview with The People's Chronicle, Holina said that her journey into sports began with wrestling and judo in 2017 under the mentorship of her aunt (late) Nonibala, who was the first international judo referee from northeastern India. Her aunt's influence was pivotal in shaping her love for contact sports.

At that time, Holina was a fifth-grader studying in Assam but quickly showed promise by winning gold in the All Assam Judo Championship which fuelled her ambition to represent her home state Manipur. However, life took an unexpected turn when her aunt was diagnosed with cancer, a condition that deeply impacted Holina, almost derailing her dreams as she took a break from sports.

After returning to Manipur with her aunt in 2021, Holina paused her athletic pursuits for nearly a year, grappling with the emotional and financial challenges her family faced.

In January 2022, Holina resumed wrestling training at Khuman Lampak's regular coaching centre under coaches Muhindro and Kiran.

She managed to represent Manipur in the Khelo India competition finishing fourth, but later won the gold medal at the North East Olympic Games in 2022.Unfortunately, her family's financial struggles forced her to stop training in December 2023, as they couldn't afford diet and supplements crucial for an athlete's performance.

Despite these hardships, Holina's passion never wavered. Her teacher at the International School of Resources (ISOR), Rajiv, recognised her potential and introduced her to Rugby.

Under the guidance of coaches Bocha and Ringo, Holina began training in June 2024.In just a month, her raw talent and adaptability were evident when she was selected to represent Manipur in the U-18 Girls National Rugby Championship 2024 in Pune, Maharashtra.

The standout performance there led to her, along with a male player of Manipur, being shortlisted for the India U-18 team, where she trained under a coach from Fiji. Out of 29 probables, Holina became the only player from the northeast region to make the final 12-member squad, contributing to India's bronze-winning performance at the Asian championship.

Holina shared her amazement at how quickly she adapted to Rugby, despite it being a new sport. Thanks to her background in other contact sports, she transitioned smoothly though she acknowledged the challenge of covering a larger field.

She credited her rapid success to her dedicated coaches - namely Muhindro, Kiran, Bocha, & Ringo, and their rigorous training sessions, along with the support of her family, especially her late aunt Nonibala, who was her first coach and lifelong inspiration.

While Holina's rise has been remarkable, she expressed concerns about the state of Rugby infrastructure in Manipur. Unlike wrestling or judo as well as other sports, which have dedicated training spaces, Rugby lacks a proper playfield, forcing players to practice in less-than-ideal conditions.

Holina urged the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) department to develop a dedicated Rugby field, convinced that this would foster more talent and improve the state's performance in the sport. Reflecting on her journey, Holina emphasised the importance of nurturing athletes from the grassroots level, with proper guidance and training being essential for long-term success.

She remains optimistic about her future in Rugby, training diligently with hopes of making the U-20 Indian team. Holina's story is a testimony to resilience, adaptability, and the power of community support.

Despite financial struggles and personal challenges, she has risen to represent her country, and her call for better infrastructure highlights her commitment to ensuring that future generations of Manipur's athletes have even greater opportunities to shine.