Yumkham Madneshore Roy : First Manipuri to join the Hockey Camp at Patiala for Mexico Olympics 1968

Seram Neken *

Had luck favoured him, Manipur could have produced Olympians as early as 1968. Madneshore Roy was the first Manipuri to join Hockey camp for 1968 Olympics. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Yumkham Madneshore Roy from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Yumkham Madneshore Roy (Babu), the veteran Hockey player, was first among the Manipuris who joined in the Hockey camp for Olympics as early as 1968. He was selected to participate in the Indian Olympic Camp held in Patiala as preparation for the Mexico Olympic Games 1968, although he did not get the berth in the Olympics.

Born in March 1945, he is the son of Yumkham Surjamani and Binodini Devi of Khurai Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai Imphal. As goalkeeper of Assam Hockey team, Madneshore took part in various tournaments during the 1960s. The history of Hockey in Manipur will always be incomplete without the mention of achievements of Yumkham Madneshore.

Hockey games appeared in Manipur by 1935 with emergence of Hockey players among the British Indian army stationed at Kangla. Hockey tournaments started by this time with the Hockey Cup brought in by Dr. Ningthoujam Leiren. Later on, a number of known players emerged in Manipur. Next to Football, Hockey has been the most popular game among the Manipuris. Churachand Maharaj who played a major role in development of modern sports was both a good Hockey player and a patron of the game.

Hockey matches were conducted among the erstwhile Maharaja Team, Palton Team and Johnston Team. Some of the forerunner Hockey players of Manipur were Ningthoujam Kanhai, Mayanglambam Jatra, Nandeibam Toyaima, Sorokhaibam Thambou, Akoijam Toyaima, Nandeibam Mohon, Sorokhaibam Lalit, Huidrom Tombi, Hawaijam Tombi, Hawaibam Munal, Leimapokpam Amubi, Laitonjam Iboyaima, Maibam Ibomcha etc.

Manipur defeated Aizawl and lifted champion's trophy in the first All Assam Inter District Hockey tournament in 1957. Players who participated in the tournament were Kshetrimayum Ibohal, Sorokhaibam Chaoba, Ngairangbam Mani, G. Ibotombi Sharma, G. Gouramadhov Sharma, Wangkheimayum Nilamani, Longjam Tombi, Elangbam Ibohal, Wangkheimayum Chura Singh, G. Tomchoubi, RK Sanajaoba, Sougaijam Dhiren (Captain), Ngairangbam Jugindro, Ibotombi Sharma and Soram Lokeshwar.

In 1958 Manipur defeated Aizawl in the Inter District tournament. However, in the 1965 Inter District tournament held at Imphal, Manipur finished in runners up position while Mizoram team won the match. The last time Manipur participated in the Inter District tournament was in 1969 at Dibrugarh. Some of the players who often took part in Assam Hockey team and fielded in national tournaments were Ngairangbam Jugindrokumar, Longjam Tombi, Soram Lokeshwar and Yumkham Madneshore Roy.

In the 33rd National Hockey Championship held at Nilgiris in Madras in 1968, Madneshoe Roy took part in the Assam team along with Soram Lokeshwar, Longjam Tombi and Thongasm Suni. Ashinikumar, the then president of Indian Hockey Federation announced that efficient players from that championship would be selected for the Mexico Olympics.

Accordingly, Yumkham Madneshore Roy had the opportunity to join in the camp conducted at Patiala under the guidance of Hockey icon Dhyanchand and Rup Singh. He was the first player (Goal Keeper) to be in the camp for Olympic Games. As of now, he has been unfortunately stuck with health problems as he was knocked with Blood Pressure stroke on a few occasions. The veteran player is unable to walk and talk.

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