Meitram Gouro : National Award Winner in Athletics during the 1960s

Seram Neken *

Meitram Gouro :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Manipuri players during the pre-statehood days dominated the Assam State team in almost all events. However, they missed the opportunities of garbing bright sports career at national levels as they were not nurtured well. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player M. Gouro from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Meitram Gouro was among the few players of Manipur who got national awards in Athletics during the 1960s. At first, there was an open competition for all players of Manipur and later in 1966-67, the competition for all Indian players was conducted at Patiala. The second competition was held in Gwalior in 1969-70 among around 40 players of the country.

M. Gouro's achievement as an athlete was a unique one during those days. Competition for the national award was done in five athletics events namely 100 meter race, 800 meter race, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot Put. The other players of Manipur who got the national award were Rajbihari from Khongman, Oja Pahari (former Deputy Director of Sports) and AK Surjit.

The lone son of Meitram Achou and Tombimacha of Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai Imphal, Meitram Gouro grew as a sportsman who pursued almost all events. Although he played Football, Hockey and Athletics, he was better known as a Volleyball player while his most favourite games being Athletics. M.Gouro was also a Basketball player of his time, as he led the Manipur Basketball team as Captain in 1972-73.

As a Football in back position, Gouro fielded in CC Meet on behalf of the SSU team. During his football career from 1965 to 1980, he was involved in several scuffles with players and judges. In 1966, he participated in the All India School Autumn Meet and the All Assam Inter District tournament.

According to veteran player M. Gouro, some of the other players during the school meet were Deepak Lambu (Goal Keeper), Thokchom Mangi (Right Back), RK Bijoy (Left Back), Kumar (Left Half), Magu Kabui (Right Out), Chaothoi Kabui (Left In), Luingaini (Forward), L. Ramkumar (Centre Forward) and RK Sanaton. His team defeated Bengal by 1-0 goals and lifted champion title.

During those days, Oja Modhu and Oja Brajamani often led the school teams. He used to practice at the Kakwa Lamdaibung playground of SSU. Some of the volleyball playing clubs during his time were COSMO Wangkhei, Model Club Chingamakha, NISA Thangmeiband, TRAU Kwakeithel and SSU.

During the 1950s, Volleyball was very popular in Manipur. In 1958, Gouro participated in the first All Assam Inter District Volleyball tournament held in Nagaon, where Manipur became champion. He took part in national championships by joining the Assam team, which was composed mostly of Manipuri players. Besides Gouro, the other Volleyball players who could perform at national level were AK Tarakishore, S. Indramani, M. Rojen, L. Inao and L. Ibotombi.

In the Assam Inter District tournament held at Nalbari in 1971, Manipur again earned the champions. He also took part in the 20th Inter state national volleyball championship at Jamshedpur from 30 January to 6 February in 1972, well before the Manipur Volleyball Association was granted direct affiliation in 1976. Manipur team for the first time participated in national championship held in Bangalore. While playing for the Assam Team during the pre-statehood days, Gouro lost a number of opportunities to be on the national stage.

During 1966-67, Gouro received the national physical efficiency award in junior category, and in 1969-70 he became the recipient of special award in senior category from the Ministry of education and youth services, government of India. According to the veteran player, the local clubs took enormous roles in promoting sports in the early period. There were a number of dedicated sports organizers in many localities of Manipur.

M. Gouro joined service in the 2nd Manipur Rifles as a player of Volleyball, against the wishes of his parents. As a player, he was in hectic schedule for various competitions for inter school, inter college, all Assam inter district, national level tournaments etc.

As a student of Manipur college, he once joined the inter college meet in Guwahati where DM College turned out champions. By the year 1974, he got employment in the Electricity department as Assistant Store Keeper and retired from service in 2008. (For feedbacks email to: [email protected])

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