Ngairangbam Mani: A Popular Hockey player of ESU during 1950s
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Seram Neken

Imphal, February 12 2014: Hockey has been a suitable sports for the Manipuris as numerous Hockey players had emerged in Manipur during the pre-statehood period.

'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Ng.

Mani from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri) .

Ngairangbam Mani, son of Ng.

Gulamjat and Sija Devi was born in 1925 and died on 23 October, 2010 at the age of 85 years.

Besides being a known Hockey player of Eastern Sporting Union during the 1950s, Ng.

Mani served as an important member of All Manipur Sports Association formed by amalgamating the erstwhile Manipur Sports Association and Manipur Olympic Association.

The Manipur Sports Association was constituted in 1954 at a meeting held at Manipur Public Library (near GM Hall) under the chairmanship of Salam Tombi.

In an interview during his lifetime, veteran player Ng.

Mani said, "In our days, we ourselves made the arrangements for the required sports equipment.

There were no suitable play field then and almost all players were not financially well-off." Dwelling on the facilities provided to the present sportspersons, he added that the present day sporting clubs made arrangements for the dress, kits and playground.

According to him, the players of today are quite lucky as they get all sorts of support in pursuing games.

He reiterated that discipline is the most important asset for a player.

Concerned on the decaying quality of Hockey in Manipur, the late veteran player once expressed concern that Manipur could produce Hockey Olympians when there were no astro-turf grounds.

He however lamented, "When there is an astro-turf field, the quality of players seems to have diminished." He was doubtful whether there had been mistakes on the part of the sports management.

In the Manipur Olympic Games organised by Manipur Olympic Association from 25-28 December 1948, Ng.

Mani took part in the Hockey team of Churachand School which won Runners up title.

Moreover, he stood second positions in Long Jump, Discus Throw and Hope Step Jump events of the Games.

In 1950 State Olympic Games, his Hockey team grasped the champions while in individual events such as 200 meter Hurdles race and Hope Step Jump, he won first positions.

As early as 1948, Ng.

Mani participated in the Beighton Cup Hockey held in Calcutta.

In 1952, he was in the Eastern Sporting Union Hockey team that contended in Beighton Cup.

He took part in the All Assam Inter College Sports Festival in 1957.In 1957, he participated in the All Assam Inter District Hockey Tournament held in Shillong where Manipur became champions.

Being a Hockey player in Half and Back positions, Ng.

Mani was a popular player of Eastern Sporting Union that became champions in Hockey for six consecutive years.

He also took enormous role in the maintenance of the ESU playground.

As the playfield remained wet during rainy season, he had to practice Throw and Hope Step Jump.

As a sports lover, he completed the Health and Physical Elementary Certificate course in Patna Government College in 1954.Mani also joined the swimming training course conducted in Pune in 1956 and Athletics training in Madras.

After retirement from sports in 1957, Ng.

Mani had the opportunity to lead state teams to various Hockey tournaments across India as team official.

The veteran sportsperson breathed his last when he was 85 years of age.

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