TODAY -

Rugby player Holina Ningombam calls for nurturing talent

Rajachandra Mutum *

 Rugby player Holina Ningombam calls for nurturing talent
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.


* Rajachandra Mutum wrote this article for The People's Chronicle
This article was webcasted on October 06 2024.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Ningols to Mapam Lamdam #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) formed
  • Audition: Mister North East & Miss North East
  • Han Kang: Nobel Prize winner in Literature
  • Weeks of Flower's Bloom :: Poem
  • Stroke unstruck
  • Emerging geo-politics and what it portends
  • Thadou fillip to NRC move
  • Chakkouba Annual Fish Fair #1 : Gallery
  • India cant dismember Manipur historical status
  • Appointment of Liaison Officer in Bangalore
  • Quality of milk in Imphal
  • Governor Acharya & coffee table book
  • Careers related to cities for sustainability
  • Voice of protest against border fencing
  • Fish fair as launch-pad for increasing yield
  • Ningols to Mapam Lamdam #1 : Gallery
  • Themchuila, Kiipa, Jendum : eMing
  • Debate on Article 3 on status of Indian States
  • Indications on 5th Anniv of Naga Peace talks
  • Discrimination :: Poem
  • Looming threat of antimicrobial resistance
  • Do we study for a JOB ?
  • Ningol Chakkouba Shopping #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakouba turning into social contest?
  • Thadou Convention 2024 : Declarations
  • Thadou Convention : Concluding Report
  • Manipur Campaign for Peace Worldwide
  • Online Global Fest @ Barak Festival
  • The Power of Poppy - 54 :: Poem
  • Four to attend 55th IFFI, Goa
  • Emergence of Manipur in history #1
  • Ningol Chakouba 2024 at Delhi
  • Rani Gaidinliu Sports Meet at Shillong
  • Thadou Convention passed resolutions
  • International Drug Users Day 2024
  • Fragrances to wear this Festive Season
  • Stay out, don't enter : CoTU to CM
  • Ooba Video : is now relaunched !
  • Countering false narrative with facts & figures
  • Sayol Taragi Jagoi : Gallery
  • A hypothetical reasoning in day dreaming!
  • National Unity Day at Manipur University
  • A Song Whispers In My Heart :: Poem
  • School inspection in Liangmai areas
  • Thadou Convention 2024
  • This Diwali think of the environment
  • Not the time to rub anyone the wrong way
  • Student bodies & healthcare system in state
  • Apangba Pandit : Folktale
  • 13th Annual General Meeting AMAND: Gallery
  • Urgent rollback of Kangpokpi district
  • 5th Rongmei Freshers' Meet 2024 at Delhi
  • Appeals to Prime Minister of India
  • Obit : Naga leader 'Uncle T A Ngullie'
  • Be what you want to be
  • Pointing fingers at the last 40 years
  • Helming the affairs in a polarised society
  • Thang Ta @Polo Tournament #2: Gallery
  • November Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Peace for all through legal ways
  • Cease War-Like Situation in Manipur
  • Ningol Chakoubagi yaipha paojel
  • Celebrate Diwali, light earthen diyas
  • Lady Justice holds Constitution & not blind
  • Send the report as sought
  • Unrest situation affecting neutral regions
  • International Dance Day #4: Gallery
  • Manipur, oh My Manipur
  • Chemistry Nobel Prize 2024
  • Barak Festival 2025 at Silchar
  • Liangnah School, Tamei : Cultural Day
  • 4th Death Anniv: Spility Lyndoh Langrin
  • Of bombs & monetary demands
  • Public outrage against extortion activities
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #5: Gallery
  • Golden Jubilee of Hamai English High School
  • 5th Northeast Fiesta at Jalandhar
  • Being Dumb :: Poem
  • Versatile visa interview for Bharat
  • Tale of potholed roads & more
  • Why food safety drives only during festivals ?
  • A Lotus in Mud :: Movie Screenplay
  • Komagata Maru :: Travellog
  • Understanding the theories of IDPs
  • BRIC-IBSD : Phytopharmaceuticals
  • The Power of Poppy - 53 :: Poem
  • Preserving audiovisual heritage as career
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • 133rd Manipur Police raising day #1 : Gallery
  • Pre-conditional talk needs differentiation
  • Nigerian delegation visited Manipur : Gallery
  • HIV response under lens of indigenous rights
  • Rash driving killing thousands in India
  • Skincare tips to get your Diwali glow
  • Protesting against Govt: Why target Meiteis ?
  • Afforestation vision limited to Imphal valley!
  • Fattaba Laushingi Namthak : Folktale
  • India International Science Festival 2024
  • Northeast Fiesta 2024 at Punjab
  • Amphibians most affected by climate change
  • Manipur violence, a litmus test for officers
  • A crisis for Meitei community survival
  • Stand against border fencing
  • Chakkouba, litmus test of benevolence
  • Manipuri Mythology & Folklore : Gallery
  • Fresh Water Pearl Farming in Manipur
  • RIST #60: Complex heterogeneous systems
  • District reversal- Restructure for State integrity
  • Unclasp the Fear :: Poem
  • Prognosis from MPCC : The last 17 months
  • Ban on chewable tobacco products
  • Indigenous Chothe Naga Tribe & its Identity
  • 13th Annual General Meeting of AMAND
  • IBSD: Exploring Microbial Bioresource of NE
  • Learning English communication in age of AI
  • 9th Brahmaputra Film Fest announces dates
  • Growing fears of technological disaster
  • 7 days since the Delhi do of Oct 15
  • Highway facelift fund for strife-hit state
  • Women drive the dry flower business
  • The Last Kangjei of Kanglei Sagol :: Poem
  • Nigerian dairy stakeholders visit Manipur
  • Promoting tourism at Thanga Chaoba Hilltop
  • Tababi calls for focus on women football
  • 9th Brahmaputra Valley Film Fest: PR & Media
  • Ibudhou Mongba Hanba & Hanuman Ji
  • Looking at the all round failure
  • Highway siege diluting UDAN success tale
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #2 : Gallery
  • SN Chand: Lens of Brogendragee Luhongba
  • Will talks succeed in absence of Muivah ?
  • Attacking the villages of Scheduled Castes
  • Manipur deserves a responsible Government
  • Foot & Mouth Disease: Are farms ready ?
  • Understanding essence of normalcy
  • Aggressors playing the victim card!
  • Mera Houchongba @Konung #1 : Gallery
  • 'Imaging Manipur' :: Book Review
  • Nongpok Thong Hangba - The prophecy
  • Free & Safe Travels for All People
  • Diminishing trend of home garden practices
  • The Power of Poppy - 52 :: Poem
  • Keep your skin glowing during festival season
  • Floral tributes @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Debkumar Bose, Pioneer of Manipuri Cinema
  • Are we delivering new HIV prevention tools
  • Programm on Intellectual Property Rights
  • Medical Officer at RKM Hospital, Itanagar
  • Initial Management of Orthopedic Trauma
  • Of fake news & the unwanted stuffs
  • Missive to Modi exposes longing for CM's chair
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #2 : Gallery
  • Culture-saving literature with Somi Roy works
  • Puri Temple Kitchen- A sneak peek
  • Freshers / Farewell Party at IIIT Manipur
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • 6th Guwahati Foodie Ethnic Food
  • SIT required to probe at Haoreibi
  • Looking back at the Oct 15 meeting
  • Task cut out for NIA
  • Ka Henna Pambei Mahei : Folktale
  • Mera Hou Chongbagi Pandam oihansi
  • 76th People's Unity & Democracy in Manipur
  • Genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur
  • Welcomes Manipur peace meeting at Delhi
  • Was there a need for SoO pact with Kuki-Zo ?
  • Not to be Unlucky :: Poem
  • What points were put forward ? Questions
  • Artificial food crisis
  • Case for Manipuri as a classical language
  • 8th Wheelchair Basketball C'ship : Gallery
  • Child Abuse in a Connected World
  • Unity Triumph :: Poem
  • Environment & wildlife ethics for co-existence
  • Hand washing: Step towards healthier world
  • Questions on Delhi dialogue
  • Thriving extortion racket
  • Kwak Tanba @Sana Konung #1: Gallery
  • My Beloved :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Manipur's society : At a glance
  • Centre to meet Meitei, Kuki & Naga MLAs
  • RSS centenary celebration begins
  • Hypocrisy and Nari Shakti
  • Eyes on Delhi dialogue
  • Will Delhi talk break the stalemate ?
  • Manipuri Cinema & Status of Women
  • Skater Tiluck Keisham scripts history
  • Kollamani : vegetable cash crop in Manipur
  • World Sight Day 2024
  • Ghost of Kpi continues to haunt
  • Special cell to tackle extortion menac
  • Bor @Hiyangthang Lairembi: Gallery
  • Fellowship for Conflict Victim students
  • Armed Conflict in Manipur
  • From poppy fields to black markets #2
  • Yuval Harari exposes power & AI nexus
  • Stifling of Public Voice for Scheduled Tribe
  • The Power of Poppy - 51 :: Poem
  • Ema Panthoibi @ Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Chaga Ngee : Liangmai Post-harvest Fest
  • Celebrating ML : 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • Choices for women & girls for HIV prevention
  • 'Chawal Ka Atta' for glowing skin
  • Needed : A strong Opposition
  • No scheme benefits for unrecognised village
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Lilasing : Gallery
  • Attention : Dire condition of Pony
  • Search is Over ! :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Mental Health Camp at RGU
  • Antibiotic resistance: a new pandemic threat
  • ST for Meiteis campaign: Take steps for 2027
  • No respite from dengue threat
  • 70th Wildlife Week Celebration #1 : Gallery
  • World Mental Health Day, 10 October
  • Govt Schemes Nurture NE's Cinematic Talent
  • Political lies & drama amidst the violence
  • Are we on the path to end AIDS by 2030 ?
  • Manipur: A jewel under siege
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Playing SA card: Camouflaged under SoO
  • Alert over cut-off years in neighbouring states
  • Haudonggi Bichar : Folktale
  • AMWJU Golden Jubilee #2 : Gallery
  • Book release & Panel Discussion at Delhi
  • Manipuri language is classical
  • From poppy fields to black markets #1
  • 13 Aug: Heikat-Leikat #2 : Gallery
  • 'Samkhok' at 2024 Busan Intl Film Fest
  • The first use of weaponised drones
  • World Bamboo Day @Chiangmai #2 : Gallery
  • Rugby player Holina Ningombam
  • Maru Amashung Maasha : Movie screenplay
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #1 : Gallery
  • Cleanliness Day @GM Hall : Gallery
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #1 : Gallery
  • 'Maral siriba matangda Wafam thamjari'
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #1
  • Useful Education Abbreviations
  • Student protest, injured [Sep 10]: Gallery
  • Students protest rally [Sep 09]: Gallery
  • Meira Rally @Tiddim Rd [Sep 08]: Gallery
  • Landscape of Kamjong District : Gallery
  • Sanamahi Cheng Hongba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur Official Phone Directory : Search
  • Panthoibi Phijol Hongba @Mandalay : Gallery
  • HSLC (Class X) 2024 : Full Result
  • HSLC 2024 : Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2024 : Comparative Statement
  • Malemnganbi Laishram : Science Topper
  • Thokchom Sheityajit : Arts Topper
  • Aiena Naorem : Commerce Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Science Topper
  • HSE 2024 : Subject Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Science Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Arts Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Commerce Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Arts Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Commerce Topper
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD