Khuraijam Khelendra: Veteran Volleyball Player and Athlete

Seram Neken *

Although Manipur does not have an effective sports policy, the state has so far produced a number of reputed players. In spite of the poor sports administration in Manipur, the state is acclaimed as powerhouse of sports in India. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Kh. Khelendra from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

"Generally, Manipuris remained healthier with the nutritious paddy, fruits and vegetables produced indigenously in this fertile land." This was stated by veteran sports promoter and player Khuraijam Khelendra. A player who ardently strove for promotion of various games in Manipur, Khelendra was born on 19 August, 1938 to Khuraijam Tomchou and Khuraijam Mangolnganbi of Wangkhei Kongba Keithel Imphal. As Khurai, Wangkhei and Kongba had a number of known players by then, Khelendra also had the opportunity to pursue games along with guidance of his local elders.

In an interview, he stated "Although I was not an excellent player, I could have reaped some fruits out of sports." In the Inter College competitions held in Guwahati in 1958, he was adjudged second position in 400 meter race. He along with his partners Phulchand from Sagolband, Akoijam Tarakishore from Kwakeithel and Iboyaima from Nambul Mapal got first position in 4X400 meter race under the DM College team.

Initially, he began to play football and athletics from the Nongmeibung Students' Club. Later, he became a football player in Right-Out position for the Eastern Sporting Union which was then famous in Hockey and not so in Football. ESU became champion in CC Meet in 1967, while Imphal Sporting Club was the runners up. Khelendra was, on a certain occasion, expelled from the ESU because of an altercation with the then Secretary Y. Gopal and thereafter he joined the NACO club. Later, he worked towards promoting water sports and volleyball by establishing COSMO team.

By 1968, he began to work for All Manipur Sports Association as representative of COSMO. He was appointed secretary (Minor games) of AMSA in 1968-69 to look after Table Tennis, Volleyball and other indoor games.

He was responsible for instituting a women's volleyball team, for which he had to approach the Tamphasana School, Eastern Sporting Union and TRAU for organising women players. Kh. Khelendra narrated, "During my tenure in AMSA, the popular Volleyball clubs were SW Heirangoithong, COSMO of Wangkhei, TRAU Kwakeithel, Model Club Chingamakha, Young Physique Union Lalambung Makhong etc." Khelendra had capability more of a promoter than a player of Volleyball.

In April 1966, he joined service in the All India Radio Imphal and posted at Guwahati station. Even during his service, he continued to work for sports development. He was responsible for arrangement of transport and accommodation of sportspersons in Guwahati. As per his accounts, the last tournament before Manipur's bifurcation from Assam state was held in 1974 at Imphal (Near Present Fire Brigade premises), where Manipur became champions in Volleyball (senior, junior and girls teams).

From 1997 to 1980, he was posted at Agartala Radio station and later from 1986 to 1991, he served at DDK Guwahati before coming to DDK Imphal in April 1993. Khelendra retired from service in 2992 as Programme Executive. Still today, he is associated with a number of sports organizations as a lover of sports. He always wished to have a good sports administration to bring about development in this sector. Khelendra anxiously asked, "Why has the government failed to implement an effective sports policy when Manipur is acclaimed as the powerhouse of sports and a number of Olympians have emerged in the state ?"

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