A Halim ChOwdhury : The shining veteran sportsman among Meitei Pangals
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 30, 2013: Manipur is today known throughout the world for its achievements in the field of games and sports and has been aptly described as the 'powerhouse of sports' in India.

But to come this far, the contribution made by many veteran sportspersons, who are no more in the limelight, could never be forgotten.

A Halim Chowdhury is one such sportspersons of the State, who managed to put Manipur on the map of India hockey at a time when very few people understand what the game is all about.

A Halim Chowdhury is a retired IAS officer, who is holding the post of Chairman of Manipur State Minorities Commission.

He was born to late Gani Chowdhuryand Bibijan Bibi of Imphal, Babupara in 1928.Since childhood, Halim Chowdhury is fond of games and sports, more particularly, football and hockey, which capture his heart totally.

In a tete-a-tete with Hueiyen Lanpao, Halim Chaudhury recalled that since his early childhood days, he loves to play football and hockey.

However, his love for football was against the wishes of his parents after his right collar bone was broken while playing.

As his parents prohibited him from playing football once and for all, Halim Chowdhury started to focus on hockey.

He started playing hockey with keen interest while pursuing his class IX in CC High School.

He participated in the school game under the guidance of his teacher Pulin Das, who encouraged him by proudly exclaiming that the boy was best Hockey player of his time.

"Churachand Maharaj once desired to watch a friendly hockey match.

So in 1943, a friendly Hockey match was played between Maharaj Team and Town Club of which I was a player," the retired IAS officer recalled and added that the match was played in a playground which used to be situated to the East of Sana Konung (Royal Palace).

Some of the players who participated in the friendly match included Haridas, GA Tomchoubi and Ksh Ibohal, Halim Chowdhury informed.

In that friendly match, the skill and the expertise with which Halim Chowdhury carried the ball breaking the defence barrier of Maharaj Team was said to be sheer delight for the spectators.

From that friendly match, Halim Chowdhury went on to participate in the Beighton Cup in 1948 and 1949, representing Manipur Eleven Team.

Recalling the events that led to his participation in Beighton Cup, the veteran player said that 1948 was a period in the history of Manipur where the game of hockey was more popular than that of football.

Mentioning the names of some of the Manipuri players who took part in the Beighton Cup played at Kolkata, Halim Chowdhury humbly acknowledged that it was under the guidance and leadership of players like Chongtham Benedhar Singh, Khomdram Dhanachandra, Ayekpam Biramangol, Sougaijam Birendra, Nongmaithem Rebati, Hodam Mohanbabu and Maisnam Manihar that he could participate and play in Beighton Cup.

"All of them were gifted players in the history of Manipur hockey", Halim Chowdhury said.

He also pointed out that the Beighton Cup, 1948 was organized during a time when there was intense conflict between India and Pakistan.

"As a Meetei Pangal participating in the event held at Kolkatta, the managing authority of Manipur team took utmost care so that no unwanted incident happened to me.

And fortunately nothing did happen," the veteran player laughed it off while recounting the event.

While informing that Beighton Cup was the biggest tournament of hockey in India during their time, Halim Chowdhury stated that getting a chance to participate in such a big tournament itself was considered a big achievement in those days.

"Winning or losing is another matter; it is the participation that counts", he added.

Though it is not an easy task for many people to keep alive their interest of sports and study side by side, but Halim Chowdhury was one player who manages to maintain perfect balance between the two.

He was not only good in sports but also went on to become one of the notable academicians.

Halim Chowdhury passed his Matric and IA from Kolkata University and did his BA in DM College in 1952, which was then under Gauhati University.

He studied Law at Delhi University during which he also represented Delhi University Hockey team as its captain.

Later he cleared UPSC exam in 1955 and was posted as SDC of Imphal West district.

Even after his appointment as SDC, his love of hockey did not let Halim Chowdhury loose.

"I even represented the State of Manipur as captain in the Inter District Hockey tournament held at Silchar in 1959, and we won", the retired IAS officer stated with pride.

Observing that discipline is the key to the success of any sportsperson, Halim Chaudhury stated that "during our time we had great respect for our teachers and elders and the present generation should also have that respect for their teachers and elders." He further stated that Manipuris are very good in sports.

Once they are acclimatized to a discipline, nothing can stop them from proceeding further.

"In India, it would very tough to outsmart the Manipuris in the field of sports.

It is a good sign that now State players are being trained and polished right from the grassroots level," the veteran player had the last word.

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