S.Pratap Singh: Leikang Trazan of Manipur
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Seram Neken
Imphal, March 04 2014 :
'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran football player S.Pratap from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri) .
Better known as "Leikang Tarzan" of Manipur for his skills in swift handling of balls, Saikhom Pratap alias Ibochouba was born in February 1933 to Saikhom Parijat and Bhanisana Devi of Wahengbam Leikai Lairembi Maning.
Being the lone son (with a younger sister) of the family, his mother did not like him to be in sports.
On one occasion, his mother even burnt down his boots and shocks so as to discourage Pratap from playing.
However, his sporting spirit defied all odds and he grew up as a sportsman right from the school.
In an interview, the veteran player stated that his first sports club was the Kuki Sporting Club.
"On seeing my performance, Tamo Elangbam Ibohal extended invitation to join the NACO Club.
Tamo Ibohal was an ardent sports organizer who was ready to do whatever for the promotion of football particularly in the NACO Club", Pratap said adding that once Elangbam Ibohal bought a new boot for him when it was burnt down by his mother.
Some of the players he associated with in NACO were Laishram Naba, Longjam Tombi, Lourembam Shyama, Bihari from Khangempalli, Sougaijam Dhiren, Iboyaima, Oinam Yaiskul, Khangembam Joy etc.
As a football player, Pratap went to participate in various inter district tournaments, Captain Gupta Trophy, Bordoloi Trophy, Independence Cup etc.
According to him, CC Meet began as the biggest football tournament in Manipur.
The first few clubs which often contended in the CC Meet were TRAU, NACO, USA and Imphal Sporting Club.
Manipur Eleven team was also a strong team composed of selected players from the various clubs.
Among the teams of Manipur, Tangkhul Sporting Association based in Ukhrul was the first to win the CC meet in the year 1953 when DSA Dibugarh finished in runners up position.
Yengkhahao, Phareng, Baorei, Sangam, Sengao, Zed Romeo, Lungshim Seiza etc.
were known football players among Tangkhuls.
Football was very popular among the Tangkhuls, Khongjais and Kabuis.
In the beginning, Manipur Eleven team comprised mostly Tangkhuls and only 3-4 Meiteis were in the team.
In the history of CC Meet, NACO was the first club based in Imphal valley to win the CC Meet in 1956.The NACO team of the time included Sougaijam Dhiren (Goal Keeper), Oinam Yaiskul (Goal Keeper), M.Bihari (Right Back), Lourembam Shyama (Half Stopper), Th.Iboyaima (Left Back), Longjam Tombi (Right half), Boro (Right out), Laishram Nabakumar (Right In), O.Iboyaima (Left Out), RK Sanayaima (Centre Forward), S.Lokeshwar (Left In) and Saikhom Pratap (Stopper).
In the 1956 CC Meet finals, NACO defeated Kuki Sporting Club.
In 1961, TRAU won the CC Meet while NACO remained in the runners up position, while in 1963 NACO became the champion of CC Meet.
S Pratap who joined the NACO Club in 1954 was better known as Leikang Tarzan for his active handling of balls in the field.
Against the wishes of his mother, Pratap became a recognized football player who could represent Manipur in various tournaments.
With his employment as the Assistant Inspector at Chingmeirong Auto Check-Post for around 10 years, Pratap could not continue his sporting career.
After a long time in 2011, he participated in the veteran football tournament held at Pologround.
Pratap wished if such veteran meets were organized regularly, the forgotten players of olden times could have the opportunity to meet and share.
Saikhom Pratap who had also pursued athletics (long run) in his early days is also interested in playing badminton with the younger generation at the Wahengbam Leikai community hall.
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