Ngasepam Tomcha : A Brilliant Sports Promoter

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Ngasepam Tomcha : A Brilliant Sports Promoter :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Ngasepam Tomcha was born on 17th December 1941 as the fifth child of Ngasepam Tollangou and Ngasepam Ongbi Toyaima Devi at Khuraijam Leirak Sagolband Tera Bazar. His schooling started from Dhanamanjuri LP School near Oriental College Imphal and he passed the matriculation examination in 1959 from Churachand High School. As a college student, he joined the Annual Sports Meet of DM College where the then Physical Instructor Ojah Megha encouraged him to join games and sports. As early as in 1961, he got the Individual Champions title in Athletics at the DM College Inter House Sports Meet.

In 1961, Ng. Tomcha broke the record in 800 meter race and got the title of “Best Medium Distance Runner” at the Guwahati University Sports festival held at Jhalukbari in Assam. In 1962, he again got “Best Long Distance Runner’ title. Under the guidance of All Manipur Sports Association, he took part in the Assam Olympic Games held at Tejpur in 1962 and got third position in 800 meter run. In 1962, he had the opportunity to join the athletics coaching camp conducted in the Assam Rifles premises with the famous Pole Vaulter Raghubir as coach.

During his college days, Tomcha used to run long distances early morning in and around Takyel area, which was barely populated by that time. In spite of having a bicycle, he used to walk to and fro the college as a practice. His keen interest was in medium and long distance run i.e. 400 meter and 800 meter race.

In an interview, Tomcha recalled his contemporary runners as Khuraijam Khelen (Kongba), Leishangthem Ajit (Singjamei), Ch. Ibochou (Moirang Leirak), Chongtham Basanta (Moirang Leirak), Potshangbam Jugin alias Ibohal (Kwakeithel), Kumam Nipamacha (Moirang), etc. He was also a football player under Imphal Tiddim MBBSU from 1959.

Ng. Tomcha joined the Nagaland Police as Sub Inspector on 31st December 1965 and got police training at Dergao Police Training Centre from 29th July 1966 to 14th July 1997.

At the Police Duty cum Sports Meet held in Dimapur in 1966, he got the champion in athletics individual. Further in 1967-68, he retained the champion’s title. As a sports enthusiast, he became the Captain of Nagaland Police Football Team in 1967. Ng. Tomcha also received NIS training for football coach at Patiala during his police career. After completion of NIS training from Patiala, Tomcha became the coach of Nagaland Police team which had been earlier under the coach R. Rahman (Olympian) from Karnataka.

Under Ng. Tomcha’s coaching, Nagaland Police football team emerged champions in the RK Jain Memorial Tournament in Karimganj in 1970 and the Eastern Zone tournament in 1971. The team again won champion at the 21st All India Police Games Football Championships held at Mysore in April 1972 by defeating Rajasthan. The team also got champions at the SC Jamir Trophy held at Makokchung and General Padam Memorial Football Tournament held at Tripura, while it finished runner-up position at the Assam Tea Planters Association Shield Tournament held at Jorhat.

In 1973, the team stood third position in the All India police Football Championship held at Madhuban in Haryana. In the same year, Nagaland Police team turned out to be the winners of the RK Jain Memorial Trophy and SC Jamir Trophy, while the team got second position in the Nagaon Independence day Tournament. In the year 1974, Nagaland Police team under Tomcha’s coaching emerged champions in the Independence Day tournament in Nagaon and the Captain MN Gupta Tournament in Silchar. It could finish second position at the All India Police Tournament in Jaipur in the same year.

Regarding the Nagaland Police sports, Ng. Tomcha said that Nagaland Inspector General of police Mr. Pande was sports promoter who was responsible for the formation of a police sports team by 1960. When Tomcha joined the police team, a Manipuri namely Sagolsem Dhijen from Khuyathong area was serving as the athletics coach. This gentleman got retired from the Nagaland Police as Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Another Manipuri, W. Syamkishore, who was the Deputy Inspector General of Nagaland Police and Secretary of Nagaland State Sports Council also played a big role in the promotion of sports in the Nagaland Police organization. Reasons for the overwhelming sports performance of Nagaland police might be attributed to the efforts of Manipuris who were working in the Nagaland police department.

During 1980-82, Ng. Tomcha had the opportunity to serve as a coach for the Manipur Football Team for the Santosh Trophy and also for the Sub-Junior team, which could be brought up to the semi-finals. During his tenure as a coach, Manipur team could emerge victorious in the North eastern Football Tournament in Shillong. In 1979, he also imparted training to the football team of Sagolband United, which he could lift up to the level of Senior-A from earlier Senior-B level.

Before his retirement from service in the year 2000, Ng. Tomcha led the Nagaland Police Football Team to the All India Police Games held in Kerala in 1984 as Team Manager. The team got runners-up position.

During the 35 years of service in Nagaland, he joined a number of trekking expeditions along with the Governor of Nagaland Om Prakash Sharma who was immensely interested in natural beauty and adventures. As the ADC to Governor of Nagaland, Tomcha participated in the expeditions to Pulebadge Peak and Japfu Peak (Nagaland’s second highest peak with 12,000 feet high) on 23rd and 24th November, 1996. On 9th January 1997, he along with the Governor and her daughter went to Dzuko valley as a special expedition. The adventurous Governor Om Prakash Sharma compiled the photographic accounts of his expeditions from 1996 to 2001 and released as a book named “Photo Diary”, a copy of which was presented to Tomcha.

For his efficient service in the Nagaland Police, Ng. Tomcha was awarded the prestigious President Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1994 and President Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2000. After his retirement as Superintendent of Police in 2000, Ng. Tomcha has been participating in trekking expeditions at prominent mountain ranges of Manipur as member of the Adventure Academy of Manipur (ADAM) since 2004. Kounu Expeditions, Siroy Expeditions, Loyalakpa Trekking and Mount Iso Expeditions, etc. may be mentioned.

Taking keen interest in water sports, Ng. Tomcha also took part in the rafting course in Izai River, Noneh in 2004. As member of ADAM, he also reached the Base Camp of Mount Annapurna in Nepal in 2009. In 2010, he took expeditions to beautiful places of Tamenglong such as Maron Cave, Jeilad Lake and Seven Step Water Fall.

The same year, he went to base camp of Mount Everest at Kalapathar. In 2011, the septuagenarian was in a training camp in Ladakh. Still today, even at the age of 72, Ngasepam Tomcha is taking part in trekking expeditions organized around the world.

Ngasepam Tomcha : A Brilliant Sports Promoter :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao