The Wonder Boy
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 19, 2013 -

Maisnam Meiraba wins, creates history :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

In a State plagued by a myriad of problems and issues ranging from senseless violence and killings to the cries for justice over deprivation of basic rights of the people and from escalating drug trafficking cases to scam and corruption at high places, the only good news that has come about bringing some cheers to the wearied souls in Manipur is perhaps that of the young boy who has made everyone proud with his stupendous performance in the just concluded 4th edition of Israel Junior International Badminton Championship, 2013.

Just 11 years old and studying in class VI in Sishu Nishtha Niketan, Maisnam Meiraba Luwang sailed through the final of the championship so smoothly and with such professional flair, not just in one event, but in three different events - Under 11- Boys' Single, Under 13-Boys' Doubles and under 13-Mixed Doubles!

This is a feat no one in Manipur has ever achieved in Badminton so far.

Apart from the fact that Meiraba easily outwitted his opponents from countries like Denmark, Russia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Solvakia, Cyprus, Lithuania and Moldova, who were much bigger and taller than him with his 'flying skills' in the Badminton court of Rishon LeZion's City Sports Hall, what is even more appreciating in the success of the young Manipuri lad is that it was his first ever International championship.

This goes to say a lot about the wonder that the young player could do in future and bring more glory to Manipur.

As Nir Sade, one of the key figures behind the spirit of organizing Israel Junior International Badminton Championship; would have said, 'it's not every day' that we got to hear some good news, and Meiraba's success definitely calls for celebration.

However, some skeptics may shrug off, saying, what is the big deal about a kid tutored and groomed by his own coach-father winning some trophies in a badminton championship organized in a country like Israel?

Yes, it is not a Thomas Cup or an Uber Cup which could have drawn media attention, and yes, the event being organized by Israel Badminton Association under the supervision of Badminton World Federation (BWF) is just 4 years old with participants from only 12 countries this time.

But it is also true that over the years, Israel Junior International Badminton Championship has become a badminton tournament eagerly awaited by enthusiastic players in Badminton loving countries around the world including the Cricket obsessive India.

This itself goes to show the credibility of the tournament being organized by Israel Badminton Association and the prestige of winning in it.

As for the champion kid being 'tutored and groomed by his own coach-father', well, is there any guarantee that other kids would have performed better than Meiraba?

The fact that a young unseeded boy from Manipur has dominated a seeded compatriot player like Madina Sirkar into quiet submission in the final of Under-11 years boys' single in straight set 21-18, 21-15 speaks volume about the potential of Meiraba and what his success in the 4th edition of Israel Junior International Badminton Championship, howsoever non-descript, could do towards promotion of the second most played game after Cricket in India (in accordance to a survey by YouGov).

Moreover, the win of the Manipuri boy has come at an opportune time when efforts are on for launching a new badminton league in the like of Indian Premier League (IPL) from June this year to popularize Badminton game in India.

This is what we should try to cash on instead of nit-picking over the success of a young but promising boy, who has put Manipur on the map of world's badminton. Period.