We were the first among women to introduce cricket in State : Lamabam Bani

Seram Neken *

Since the early period, Manipuri women had been a complete person. Besides participating actively in all spheres of social, economic, political and familial works, women also took up sports enthusiastically. Lamabam Bani is such a woman who from the tender age of 12 endeared various games and sports. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player L. Bani Devi from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

The last and second child of Lamabam Ibohal and Koijam Ningol Lamabam Ongbi Noyoni Devi, Lamabam Bani Devi started her sports career at the age of 12. Her education began at the erstwhile Balika School situated at the present Ibotonsana school. From class III, she studied at Tamphasana School where Ojah Medhabati was the then Head Mistress.

Although she was an all rounder in sports, her keen interest was in Badminton. Lamabam Bani was so strongly attached to games and sports that she even failed in class VI examination in Tamphasana school. Growing shyness in attending classes compelled her to shift to Anand Singh Academy, the newly established school from class VII onwards. Her sports achievements still continued in her new school, which gradually became a renowned school in sports.

After matriculation in 1955, she got admitted in DM College, where she continued her sports career. As she recalls, Shri RK Dorendro, Shyam Sharma etc. were their senior students in DM College, while Irengbam Tompok was her classmate. In partnership with N. Momon, Bani could win in most of the sports competitions during college days. As a left handed player, Bani excelled in Badminton games with Momon-Bani pair becoming popular by then.

Belonging to a family of sports lovers and her uncle Lamabam Iboton being a renowned polo player, she could feel the support of family in sports. However, the society at large was against the girls' indulgence in games and sports. It was a big challenge to the girls wearing sports costumes while practicing in the field, as the conservative local people thought otherwise of their character. In fact, there were only a very few people who encouraged women in sports. L. Bani says that nowadays there are lots of people who support the women in games and sports.

L. Bani was a player of Imphal Sporting Club. She along with N. Momon had a big contribution to Imphal Sporting Club winning the champions of Manipur Olympic Games. They also got encouragements from RK Hujursana and Takhellambam Babudhon who were active sports organizers. In the State Games, Bani could often win first in High Jump, Long Jump and Hurdles events. She was adjudged the title of Miss Blue in 1956 for excellence in sports.

Representing DM College, Bani also took part in various Inter College Sports events outside the state. They usually boarded the Manipur State Transport Bus at six in the morning and proceeded to Dimapur, from where they had to catch train upto Guwahati. She could recollect her mates during the trip in 1965 as Arambam Sobita, Ningthoujam Momon and Bimola from Heingang.

As a Half Left-in Hockey player of Imphal Sporting Club, she also participated in Hockey which was then a new game in Manipur. She recalls the other Hockey players of her team as Arambam Sobita, H. Jamuna, Thingbaijam Ibemhal, Khaidem Wangol, Sagolsem Bino, Khaidem Ibeton (Tararani), Ngaseppam Bino and Maisnam Sanatombi. The team of Yaiskul Town Club comprised players such as Chamusana Awangbi, Karam Pramoda, Sougaijam Santa, Thana Tarubi, RK Bino, Tombimacha, Waikhom Bijaya, Waikhom Sarjubala and Manorama. The two teams were repeatedly the final contenders in women Hockey.

Hockey practice was usually done at the small ground belonging to Oja Jarmenjoy of Nagamapal Kangjabi. Some of the close associates in Hockey matches during that time were L. Chandramani (Ex Deputy Chief Minister) and Eiga Sunil from Tera (Police Officer), who extended assistance during their practice.

Married in 1957, she could no longer enjoy sports because of the indispensable household works as a mother. A mother of five (four sons and one daughter), Bani gradually forgot that she had been a player once. However, still she was interested in watching sports through Television and reading sports news in newspapers.

By 1960/61, L Bani served as the substitute teacher in Anand Singh Academy for a brief period. Even though she was selected in the Tracers' Interview conducted by PWD, she did not join it due to familial strictures on employment of women. Mother being a sports lover, Bani's children take keen interests in sports. Her daughter RK Usharani plays Table Tennis and one of her sons is Basketball player.

In 1974, her enthusiasm in sports reestablished with the participation in veteran games in Nagpur without proper practice. She along with Harimati, Jamuna, Momon, Mangol etc. took part in the trip, where she competed in Discus throw. She was also invited to join a Hockey exhibition match at Imphal Pologround along with other veteran colleagues.

Bani said that they were also the leading women cricket players of her time. By around 1975, a friendly cricket match was played in connection with the International year of women. The participants at the match, as she remembers, were Dr. Saroja, Sarjubala, Oja Medhabati, Sunitibala, Heingang Bimola, RK Mukhrasana, Chongtham Jamini, Irom Bimola, Lingjani Gangte and she herself.

Lamabam Bani believes that sports can bring unity and integrity. She feels that the present generation particularly the girls have had the opportunity to practice and excel in various sports events. In her late 80s, Bani is having a nostalgic memory of her time as a sports girl. She regrets that due to pain in the waist, she could no longer join in veteran games.

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