Interview with Indian Sepak Takraw Player Oinam Chaoba Devi

Khuman *

Photo Courtsey:- Oinam Chaoba Devi

Manipur with its capital Imphal city has been the “Power House of Sports” since its merger to India and in recently happened 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, out of 5 players in the Indian Women’s Sepak Takraw team, 4 players are from Manipur (Meitei Chanuras). Among them OINAM CHAOBA DEVI is one. She is an Indian professional sepak takraw player from Hiyanglam Waikhom Leikai, Manipur.

E-pao: - First of all, we would like to congratulate you and your whole team.
Chaoba: - Thank you so much for encouraging us like this.

E-pao: - Please share how you started your career.
Chaoba: -Happy to share with the readers how I started my career. I started playing since 2004 and one of the sisters from the locality introduced me to this sport. Her name is Manibala. I started playing under her guidance in the Social Welfare Club (SWC), Hiyanglam Waikhom Leikai.

Then from time-to-time start participating in many tournaments. I faced lots of challenges in the starting like travelling as we are from far away from the city challenges in transportation service and financial support too. I took these challenges make me to work more to achieve my goals.

E-pao: - Please highlight your sports achievements.
Chaoba: - Thank you so much for covering my sports achievements.

SUB-JUNIOR NATIONAL

Photo Courtsey:- Oinam Chaoba Devi

E-pao: -Please share us how you get ready yourself for the 2022 Asian Games participation?
Chaoba: - Yes, I did hard-work with full dedication to get selected for the 2022 Asian Games. We went to Camp in Goa for around a month. Held Camp in Thailand for 45 days and spent in Delhi around 23 days training. I can say it is not easy to get selected from the national level to international tournaments. Finally, Indian Team won the Bronze Medal and this is everything for the entire team hard-work.

E-pao: -To whom you would like to dedicate or credit for your success?
Chaoba: - This one is very tough to answer (she smiled). Since the beginning of my career, every family member supported me. They always motivated me to be successful in my journey. Firstly, thanks to my lovely family.

I would like to thank Oja Muhindro because he guided me a lot since 2008. Then, I would also like to thank all the coaches I met in my journey for their priceless guidance and advice. I would also like to thank all the sports lovers who supported directly and indirectly.

E-pao: -Chaoba, we would also like to know about your daily routine.
Chaoba: - Yes, maintaining daily routine is very important. It is also a kind of discipline for every player. Generally, I used to practice at Khuman Lampak. I also faced many challenges while coming to practice like a transportation problem as I don’t have my own vehicle and sometimes a financial problem too. Even though I have all these challenges I never quite to go to practice and achieve my target. Here comes the importance of hard-work, dedication and discipline.

E-pao: -Please share what your future plans are.
Chaoba: - In the future I will share and dedicate everything for the aspirants in Sepak Takraw sport.

E-pao: -Your message to the aspiring youths.
Chaoba: - I don’t have much to say to all of them (she smiled). I would like to suggest them that whenever do anything or love any kind of sport just play it with full dedication, even though there are many challenges. Never demotivate yourself. Never give-up in life.

E-pao: -Chaoba, wishing you all the best in the times to come and thank you so much.
Chaoba: - My pleasure for taking this special session. This is one of the best encouragement and motivation from your team.

See a full photo gallery of Oinam Chaoba here