TODAY -

Yumnam Imocha : Nurture School Games for sustained sports development in Manipur

Seram Neken *



'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Y. Imocha from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri)...

Veteran football player Yumnam Imocha, son of Yumnam Gouramani and Sanggai Devi, was born in 1945 at Yumnam Leikai Imphal. From the very childhood, he used to play games at the Yumnam Leikai Lairembi Ground and later at the Pishum Hao Ground. Initially, he had joined the erstwhile 'New Popular Club' of Yumnam Leikai before the formation of IBSA (Indo Burma Sporting Association) by covering upto Chingamakha in 1960.

In an interview, the veteran footballer stated, "Since the New Popular Club (NPC) was very weak, some players preferred to call it as Nungtigi Poba Club". After playing in the IBSA for a few years, Imocha became a senior player of Yaiskul Athletics Club team in 1966. The players of YAC during this time were Sougaijam Somorjit (Goal Keeper), Borobabu (Stopper), Y. Imocha (Left Back), Imo (Right Back), Kaminikumar (Half), L. Kumar (Half), S. Ojit (Right Out), Priyokumar (Right In), RK Madhurjit (Centre Forward), L. Ramkumar (Left In), Basantakumar Kabui (Left Out). Yaiskul Athletics Club earned the runners up position in the CC Meet 1966, while the Imphal Sporting Club lifted the winner's title.

While studying in DM College, Y. Imocha participated in the All India School Autumn Meet at Madras in 1966. Manipur team which defeated Bengal by 1-0 goals was composed of players such as Dipak Kumar Limboo (Goal Keeper), Thokchom Mangi (Right Back), RK Bijoy (Half), K. Kamo (Left Half), Magu Kabui (Right Out), Chaothoi Kabui (Right In), L. Ramkumar Centre Forward), Luingaini Kabui (Left In), Naran Kabui (Left Out), Goura Singh, A Ratankumar and Yumnam Imocha. Oja Thangjam Modhu was the team manager while Oja N. Brajamani served as the coach.

By 1967, he took part in the Captain MN Gupta Trophy in Silchar as a player of Manipur Eleven team. Meanwhile, by this time Imocha along with Manihar Sharma of Thangmeiband and K. Brojen of Knongman passed the BA examination, thereby enabling them to freely play football during 1967-69. In 1969, Manipur lifted the champions trophy in Captain MN Gupta trophy. The same year, Yumnam Imocha and Manihar Sharma joined in the Manipur Police as Sub-Inspector. During the police training period from 1969 to 1971, his football career met its peak.

After returning from the Police training course, Imocha began to play for the IBSA club in 1971 only to come back to the Manipur Police football team again. By 1972, IBSA team could reach the Senior A and a number of known players were in the team. Those in the IBSA team were L. Ramkumar (Centre Forward), Ch. Santikumar (Forward), Gourahari (Back), Vaukhulal (Goal keeper), Y.Imocha (Left Back), Thokchom Mangi (Right Back), Y. Bhaskar (Half), AK Basanta (Half), L. Chaoba (Back) and Kh. Sarat (Half). IBSA along with ESU turned out joint winner of the CC Meet in 1972.

Recalling the exhibition match of 1971, the veteran player said that All Manipur Sports Association organized two exhibition matches at Imphal by inviting the East Bengal team. Unexpectedly the Manipur Eleven defeated East Bengal team by 2-0 goals, the first goal was scored by Ramjoy of Thangmeiband and second one by AK Surjit of TRAU. After a keenly contested play, the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw in the second match. Thus the invitation matches were often arranged by the All Manipur Sports Association during those days.

By 1974, Imocha was in Manipur Police football team which accommodated around 24-25 active players. Among them, he could recall the names of Dipak Kumar Limboo (Goal Keeper), Bidhu (Left back), Y. Imocha (Right Back), Kamo Kumar (Stopper), Th. Mangi (Right Back), Gouro (Half), RK Bijoy (Half), Premchand (Right Out), Maipak Sharma (Left Out), Madan Sharma (Right In), Abui Kabui (Centre Forward), Sana from Kshetri Leikai (Centre Forward) etc. The trainer during the time was W. Kaminikumar.

In 1975 CC Meet, Manipur Police team got defeated in quarter finals while Aryan Club and Rajasthan retained first and second positions. In the 1976 edition of the Meet, Police team finished in the runners up position with the Young Physique Union grasping winners title. Again in 1977, Manipur police team got the champions defeating Young Physique Union.

While serving in the Police department, he found a hectic schedule both in playing football and for attending the duty. During his football career, Y. Imocha participated in CC Meet six times. After fielding in CC Meet of 1977, Imocha gradually left sports as he was posted at Chandel as Officer In Charge. after retirement from Police Department as DSP in 2005, Imocha served as Secretary of IBSA club for two years.

For the development of sports in Manipur, the veteran player suggested to implement a specific games policy in schools in order to hunt the sporting talents of young students.

for feedbacks email to: nekenseram(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in


* Seram Neken wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao
This is a translation from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri)
This article was posted on November 10, 2014.


* 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
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet