Sanatombi: Winner in Shot Put in 1952 State Games
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Seram Neken

Imphal, January 20 2014 : Women players had to face a number of challenges including the scolds of the local elders during the 1950s. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player M.Sanatombi Devi from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri) .

She began to play various games while studying class VII at Tamphasana School.

Being an all rounder player who took up athletics, throws, jumps and Hockey, Maisnam Sanatombi was a known player during the 1950s.According to the veteran player, women players wearing skirts were talked of as indecent and over smart during early days.

People in general questioned as for what gains girls played in the field.

"Initiated by Echema Padmabati (Poda), I began to play Hockey under the National Blue team of Yaiskul", stated Maisnam Sanatombi in an interview.

Other players of her time were Momon, Bani, Jamuna, Laikangbam Manishang, Khaidem Tararani, Arambam Sobita, Punyabati, Sumitra, Pahobirui, Chamusana, Karam Pramoda, Sougaijam Santa, Tarubi, Khwairakpam Bino, Ibecha, RK Bino, Naosekpam Bino etc.

Maisnam Sanatombi

After a brief association with the Yaiskul Team, she began to play Hockey under Khwai Athletics Union, which was managed actively by sports lovers such as RK Hujursana, Khuraijam Phulendro, Wahengbam Khelendro and Wahengbam Komol.

Sanatombi fielded as Right-Half player while Arambam Sobita was the Centre Forward.

At that time, there was no proper coaching and practice.

They played only with the guidance of a few seniors.

There were around twenty women Hockey players under Khwai Athletics Club team at that time.

According to Sanatombi, women were rarely encouraged in the field of sports as if it were meant for the males only.

The girls used to go for the practice stealthily, so that people did not see them on the way.

Usually girls went barefooted.

When she went to school wearing shoes, people treated her as being an arrogant girl.

Nowadays, women are free to join any game and sports, and have also earned high respect in society.

In the Manipur Olympic Games 1952, M.Sanatombi stood first position in Shot Put, while N.Momon finished second.

Her sports career ended after marriage with Thangjam Iboyaima of Khurai.

However, on a certain occasion in 1975, she had the chance to participate in an Exhibition Hockey match at Imphal pologround.

There, she again met her old colleagues who used to play in the school.

Nowadays, she is still interested in reading sports pages in newspapers, watching games in TV and listening to the sports news.

Although Sanatombi presently refrains from sports due to a waist pain, she is amused on hearing the names of N.Momon, Thouranisabi and H.Jamuna who participate in veteran competitions.

.MSanatombi expressed satisfaction over the existence of a well equipped Khuman Lampak Sports complex, which was not there during their time.

In her school days, there were only a few playgrounds � situated at Pologround, Kangla complex and Manipur Rifles ground.

According to Sanatombi, the credit for the present Khuman Lampak Sports Complex must go to the former Chief Minister M.Koireng who had the vision to develop this sports complex during his reign.

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