Chongtham Benudhar :: A Pioneer of Sports Movement in Manipur

Seram Neken *

Manipur has now become a powerhouse of sportspersons only because of the dedication and enthusiasm of certain extraordinary people who worshipped sports during their hectic days. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Chongtham Benudhar from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

But for the untiring efforts of this veteran player, football would not have enjoyed the status presently occupied by Manipur at present. As a befitting tribute to Shri Chongtham Benudhar, the pioneer of sports movement in Manipur, his family instituted the 'Oja Benudhar Memorial Trophy for the best referee of the year' in the year 2000.

The trophy along with a cash of rupees five thousand has been presented to the best referee of the CC Meet every year since then. Laimayum Gokulananda of Thangmeiband was the first recipient of the trophy instituted in acknowledgement of the precious contributions of Chongtham Benudhar to football development in the state.

The late Chongtham Benudhar was born in 1902 at Keishamthong Top Leirak Imphal. His father Bansidhar, who had come to Manipur along with the British and served as the first Jailor of Manipur, expired during his childhood. He had to face innumerable struggles in life. After matriculation, he could not continue his study as there was no educational institution for higher studies and as he did not afford to attend schools outside Manipur. Benudhar joined the Bengali School as Teacher in 1934 and worked for about forty years before his retirement in 1974.

He was a multi-faceted personality who embraced sports, music and theatre during his lifetime. Married with Rajkumari Sanatombi Devi, Benudhar was the father of seven sons and six daughters.

As early as 1933, Ch. Benudhar participated in the Bidhumukhi Cup Football tournament held in Lamding. Besides Benudhar, Manipur Town Club that won the tournament comprised players such as Surajman Rai, Nongmaithem Rebati, Sougaijam Dhiren, Nongmaithem Giri, Lamabam Iboton, Bhim Rai, Indur Bhusan Mukherji, Rabi Purkeshta, Huidrom Baruni, Govind Rai and Phoni Mukherji.

As a player of Town Club, he took part in various tournaments outside Manipur. After retirement from sports, Benudhar played a big role in football development in the state. As the Vice President of All Manipur Sports Association, he contributed immensely in the organization of CC Meet along with like minded Ayekpam Biramangol and Khomdram Dhanachandra.

In an interview, one of his sons Chongtham Rajen revealed that his father Benudhar often took the greater responsibility of inviting the football teams for the CC Meet from outside Manipur. He remembered when his father Benudhar made arrangements for accommodation of teams like the Mohan Bagan and West Bengal Team at the erstwhile hall situated near the Bengali school.

During the Football events, the veteran player spent most of his time at Imphal Pologround in making arrangements. As Rajen said, his father even forgot to look after the family affairs as he had to attend school during daytime and to work for sports at Pologround in the afternoon.

By around 1958, there was an exhibition match with Mohun Bagan at Imphal Pologround. Chongtham Rajen recalled his father's enthusiasm and devotion to sports organization during those days. As his father was engaging in sports organization for the whole day, he forgot to pay the school fees for which Rajen had to leave schooling due to non payment of fees. Moreover, he needed to change his pant.

One day during those hectic days, he happened to meet his father whom he narrated the school requirements. His father Benudhar readily handed over rupees twenty five to Rajen for the school fees and a new pant.

According to Rajen, it was a hefty amount for me by that time. However, his father gave him the amount so that his involvement in sports was not disturbed by then. Chongtham Benudhar was a devoted sports person and organizer during those days.

Benudhar was the only referee who wore traditional attire 'Pheijom' in the field. Nongmaithem Rebati, Ojah Cholo, Sougaijam Dhiren and Chongtham Benudhar were the referees who conducted football matches in the beginning of sports movement in Manipur.

After making valuable endeavor for sports development in the state, Chongtham Benudhar breathed his last on 16th September 1975. Even after 38 years of his death, the present generation still memorises his contributions towards sports promotion in the state.

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