Tanglei Festival 2016 : A Review

Lukhendro Keisham *

Tanglei Festival 2016 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

TANGLEI FESTIVAL
31st January to 13th February, 2016
Venue: Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

Tanglei Festival 2016 was held from 31st January to 13th February, 2016 with the formal closing day held on 6th March. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Laishram Radhakishor Singh (Ex – Minister, Oinam Assembly Constituency), Mr. Nongthombam Biren Singh (M.L.A, Heingang Assembly Constituency), Mr. Oinam Budhi Singh (Chairperson, Oinam Nagar Panchayat) and Mr. Soibam Priyokumar Singh (Vice Chairperson, Oinam Nagar Panchayat) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively. With the opening of Tanglei Festival 2016 the chief guest of the day Mr. N. Biren Singh also inaugurated the TANGLEI CUP 2016, seven – a – side football tournament and INSCRIVION, a photo exhibition which is a part of the festival.

As a part of the festival the Oinam Badminton Association organized a one day TANGLEI BADMINTON TOURNAMENT at Thambal Marik College's Indoor Hall. The association plans to make the tournament bigger in the coming editions. Prizes were also distributed on the same day. Mr Waikhom David Singh (President of Thambal Marik College's Governing Body) and Mr. Oinam Bikram Singh (Chairperson of Thambal Marik College's Governing Body) were the President and Chief Guest of the badminton event respectively.

The INDIGENOUS SPORTS DAY was held on 7th February, 2016. On the day a Pana Mukna was played between Khangabok Pana and Mayang Imphal Pana in which the former won the game 9 – 5 with 1 tie. The Mukna was conducted under the supervision of All Manipur Mukna Association. Mr. Sorokhaibam Tomba Singh (Retd. Z.E.O of Thoubal District), Mr. Bijoy Laitonjam (Principal of The comprehensive School Oinam), Mr. Oinam Bikram Singh (Chairman of Thambal Marik College's Governing Body) and Mr. Yelam Ramananda Singh (Advocate and Member, Bar Council of Manipur) graced the day as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively.

Trade stalls entitled POTPHAM LEIKAI were also set up at the venue. It includes handloom & handicraft, electronics, sports accessories, clothing, etc. Food and snacks stalls are also included among the stalls.

Tanglei Festival 2016 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

A free medical camp was conducted on 11th February entitled HEALTH BAR. It is a part of the health and wellness event of the festival. The camp was conducted by a team of doctors, nurses and crew of Shija Hospital & Research Institution (SHRI), Imphal. Around 600 individuals from Oinam and the surrounding areas turn up for consultation. Free medicines were also distributed by the various pharmacies located at Oinam.

Matches of TANGLEI CUP, seven – a – side football tournament were simultaneously conducted daily at the venue during the festival. Altogether sixteen teams took part in the tournament. The teams include F.C.B of Bishnupur, S.S.S.F.C of Singjamei, THALES of Yaiskul, T.R.U.G.P.U.C of Nambol, S.F.C of Sanjenbam, F.C.P of Ima Keithel, E.S.O of Bamdiar, T.F.T (A) of Oinam, Y.A.D.A of Kangsoibi Mapal, T.F.T (B) of Oinam, K.S.Y.C of Hiyangthang, Y.S.W.A of Utlou, K.P.F.C of Kha Potshangbam, M.F.C of Moirang, I.C.C.I of Irengbam and L.A.S.H.A.L of Leimapokpam all from the state. The first day of Quarter Final Matches of the tournament on 8th of February was graced by Mr. Waikhom Meipak Singh (Ex – President of Bishnupur District Indian National Congress) as President and Dr. Thounaojam Nabakishor Singh (D.M.O Bishnupur & Chief Functionary of LCHEDA) as the Chief Guest. Day Two of the Quarter Final Matches was graced by Mr. Thingbaijam Swarankumar Singh (Social Scientist & Teacher of Oinam Govt. Boys High School), Mr. Col. Sanjay Rawat (Comanding Officer of 1/5 Gorkha Regiment of Khoirakpan Pump House) and Mr. N. Tikendra Singh (Sub – Inspector of CDO Bishnupur) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively on 9th, February.

Semi Final Matches of Tanglei Cup was held on 11th February with Mr. Sorokhaibam Chandramani Singh (Proprietor of Capital Electronic) and Mr. Oinam Chaoba Meetei (Researcher & Social Scientist) and Mr. S. Kishorjit Singh (Sub Inspector of CDO Bishnupur) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honour of the day respectively.

Tanglei Festival 2016 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

The official closing day of the festival was held on 6th March, 2016 with Dr. Irengbam Ibohanbi Singh (M.L.A of Oinam Assembly Constituency & Opposition Leader of Manipur Assembly), Mr. Govindas Konthoujam (Minister of Commerce & Industry, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Sericulture, Manipur) and Councillors of Oinam Nagar Panchayat as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively. Shiv Seva Samiti of Oinam presented the opening song of the function. The final match of the Tanglei Cup was played on the day between T.F.T (A) of Oinam and E.S.O of Bamdiar. At the match E.S.O defeated T.F.T (A) with 6 to 2 goals. The winning team walk away with Rs.50, 000/- and the runner with Rs.30, 000/- cash as prizes. The winning prize of Tanglei Cup 2016 was sponsored by Irom Ajitkumar Singh, an employee of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited in the name of his grandmother - in - law, Mrs. Oinam Kaboklei Devi and the runner's by Oinam Sports Association.

Before the final match a veteran football friendly was held among the veterans of Oinam. As a part of the women's event a tug – o – war match was held. All winners and participants were honored with humble cash prizes.

Club Muzik Events, Impact TV, E-Pao.Net and Oinam Official were the event, television, online and page partners respectively. The official event page is www.facebook.com/TangleiFestival.

The TOWN DAY and WOMEN DAY were dropped by the organisers on unavoidable circumstances. But as to keep up with exclusive events for women and the town the women's tug – o – war and the veteran football match were included among the closing day's events. The closing day witnessed a jam packed crowds from neighboring towns and villages of Oinam.

It was truly a festivity to explore, initiate and promote the indiginuity of the state. The original games and sports of the indigenous people of Manipur see a new daylight here. Not any entertainment nor cultural programmes were held during the festival. Various organizations in the state boycotted such events due to the ongoing board exams in the state. From the point of the organizers the festival was a huge success. The festival is organized by OInam Sports Association.

Tanglei Festival 2016 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

ORGANIZING TEAM

Mr. Lukhendro Keisham as Organising Secretary
Mr. Priyojit Konthoujam as Supervisor de Tanglei Cup
Mr. Inaoshing Oinam as Supervisor de Ground Maintenance
Mr. Bishan Laishram as Supervisor de Participating Football Teams
Mr. Sadananda Oinam & Shyamananda Keisham as Supervisors de Inscrivion
Mr. Homen Panchaimauym as Supervisor de Pana Mukna
Mr. Surjit Konthoujam as Supervisor de Veteran Football Match
Mr. Shankar Mutum as Member