Sarangthem Tejmani: Football, Volleyball & Hockey player of 1950s

Seram Neken *

Manipur is a fertile soil that easily adapt to each and every modern game. Sarangthem Tejmani was an all rounder player who played Volleyball, Football and Hockey during the 1950s and early 60s. ‘ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS’ reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player S. Tejmani from Ratneshwori Goswami’s Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Sarangthem Tejmani, an all rounder player of 1950s, is a resident of Heirangoithong in Imphal West district. In an interview with Ratneshwori Goswami of Hueiyen Lanpao, the septuagenarian player narrated his sporting career during his schooldays. His initial schooling was at the school at Kha Imphal Keisham family. Later Tejmani joined Churachand School where Oja Pishak of Chingamakha was the head master then. Tejmani embraced Volleyball, Football and Hockey games in his schooldays.

In 1958, Tejmani for the first time participated in the School Games held in Delhi as a volleyball player. He remembered some of his colleagues in the volleyball team such as Paonam Achou, Sairem Tomba and W.Nimai. His favourite companion in volleyball team was late W. Nimai to whom he used to supply ball for the strike. In the Delhi Games, Manipur stood first position in march past. Tejmani narrated that Nongthonbam Maipak won first position in Shot put while W. Nimai got gold medal in Pole Vault.

Next year in 1959, he joined the Manipur team to the School Games held in Bombay as both Hockey and Football player. His football team could win over Kerala by 1-0 goals, while it got defeat against Bombay team by 10-0 goals. In 1960-61 also, he participated in the School Games conducted in Kerala.

Tejmani recollected that Oja Khaidem Pramodini, Oja Chandrakala and Khongbantabam Tolhan as team managers often led them to outside Manipur for various school games competitions. According to Tejmani, Oja Thangjam Modhu the then Deputy Director (Sports) of Manipur Government who often organized programmes of social service and games outside the school treated him dearly and encouraged in sports competitions.

Tejmani said ‘Heirangoithong and Chingamakha had a number of volleyball players during our days’. A few of the erstwhile elder players, as Tejmani recalled, were Rajbapu, Batta Singh, Ningthoujam Binoi, Ningthoujam Ajit, Eigya Krishna, Babudhon etc. He had to imitate the elder players, as there was no trained coach during those days.

He also took part in one of the coaching camps held in Assam Rifles complex along with late Lourembam Ibotombi, Kshetrimayum Jugeshore of Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai, Paonam Achou, Irom Guno, W. Kaminikumar, Oja Brajamani and others. By 1960, Football became the most popular game in Manipur with the hectic efforts of All Manipur Sports Association. He also recollected the football team of his time comprising Wahengbam Mathang, Ramjoy, Ramkumar, Basantakumar, Naba, Syama, Yaiskul, Somorjit and himself which turned out champions in several school competitions.

He expressed satisfaction over the growth of sports movement in Manipur nowadays as compared to his youthful days. Manipur has become a powerhouse of sports and a number of Olympians are being produced from this state.

Every modern game finds its proper adaptation on the Manipur soil for which Tejmani wanted to give credit to the forefathers who had nurtured various indigenous games such as Sagol Kangjei, Khong kangjei, Mukna, Thang-ta and Yubi Lakpi. By 1958, other Indian states looked down upon Manipuri players as Manipur being located in the far-off hilly region and the transport and communication facilities were drastically poor. However, today the scenario is totally different. Manipur has now opened a new chapter in sports with famous sports stars of the state being honored continuously in the country.

Narrating the changed trend of sports development in the state, Tejmani recalled that localities took the enormous roles to nurture players during their days. There were lack of efficient coaches and organized trainings of players. He took to volleyball under the aegis of Social Workers’ Club of Chingamakha Heirangoithong which became champions several times.

Sarangthem Tejmani along with local colleagues used practice at the volleyball ground situated in his locality in the morning and again in evening after school hour. Discipline and etiquette were strictly maintained among the players. His sporting career ended when he joined service as Police Wireless Operator in 1963 and obtained voluntary retirement in the year 1989.

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