Huiningsubam Ibemhal Devi : Individual Champions in 1962 & 1963 Manipur State Games

Seram Neken *

Huiningsubam Ibemhal Devi :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Manipuri women, from the very beginning, have remained healthy and skilful to easily adapt to any sort of games. That a number of women players cropped up in the state in the pre statehood days learly shows that Manipuri women generally have the unique sporting skills. ‘ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS’ reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player H. Ibemhal Devi from Ratneshwori Goswami’s Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Huiningsubam Ibemhal Devi, who was born on 18th July 1947 at Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai took up sports while studying class VII at Singjamei Girls school. Her early education was at Kha Imphal school, from where she shifted to Singjamei Girls school for higher classes.

According to the veteran woman, she along with her friend Khangembam Renuka could bring laurels for the Singjamei Girls School as good players. For the sports practice, she often accompanied her friend Renuka who used to ride the bicycle of her sister Shanti. On the bicycle, they together went for the practice. The favourite events the woman athlete endeared were 100m and 200m run, Long Jump and High Jump.

She participated in various inter school games and could earn prizes at various competitions including 100m, 200m and 400m race. The strong contenders during those days were the students of Tamphasana Girls School, Ibotonsana School, Anand Singh Academy and Singjamei Girls School. Sports development can be said to have begun during those days, as more than one hundred women players appeared in the girls’ schools of Manipur. They took keen interests in the events like athletics, race, high jump, Long jump, Kho Kho, Volleyball, Hockey, and Badminton.

The 1960s also witnessed organization of sports festivals at each and every locality of Manipur. H. Ibemhal along with her friends participated in these local sports on hire by the various clubs. It was a great pleasure to have the company of sports loving friends including the boys who treated them as their real sisters.

As Ibemhal recounted, she used to practice athletics including Long Jump, High Jump and Sprint at Chingamathak Hao Ground. Tamphasana School ground was a suitable playground for Kho Kho, while Badminton and Volleyball practices were done at Johnston school and DM College complexes. Elders like Akoijam Tarakishore and Leishangthem Ajit taught her the various rules and techniques of athletics. Ibemhal narrated that during her schooldays, Chongtham Sorojini (Apeicha) was a renowned athlete while Gourikumari and Tombimacha were known Cycling players.

In the 1962 Manipur State Games, Ibemhal represented the SSU and could grasp Individual Champions by winning the first positions in Shot Put, Discus throw and 200 meter race. In the 14th State Games 1963 also, she got Individual champions representing the Manipur State Scouts Union, Singjamei. Ibemhal won first positions in 100 meter race (14 minute and 2 seconds), Discus throw and Shot Put. She could finish second in 4 X100 meter relay run.

After getting various prizes from Inter School games, she was selected for the national school games at various places. Along with other players like Waikhom Sobita, Pramo, Renu, Bharti, Shantibala of Ibotonsana School etc., she joined her first sports tour to outside the state in Bhopal. She could remember that senior players L. Ajit and Koijam Kesho often accompanied them in various championships outside Manipur.

Ibemhal recalled the names of her teachers who led them to the various competitions as Ojah Bilashini from Khongman, Ojah Modhu, Ojah Prabhas, Ojah Chandrakala, Ojah Iboyaima, Ojah Brajamani etc. She also participated in the sports competitions held in Gujarat and Ahmadabad.

After matriculation, H. Ibemhal left sports and joined in the Eastern Ideal Girls School as Assistant Teacher. By 1983, her sports enthusiasm reemerged with participation in the Annual National Fitness Week earning her first position in Shot Put, Second in Long Jump and champions in Volleyball.

A mother of three daughters and five sons, she began to practice sports for the veteran competitions at the instigation of one of her elders Yumnam Kunjo. She took part in the 17th Asian Veteran Athletics Meet ( at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium) and won first position in 100 meter race and second position in Shot Put. As a veteran player, Ibemhal parted with sports in 1996 after fielding two Asian events and one international event. A resident of Singjamei Leishangthem Leikai, Thounaojam Ongbi Ibemhal Devi retired from service in 2008. She is still having the enthusiasm to play suitable athletics events.

Huiningsubam Ibemhal Devi :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

for feedbacks email to: nekenseram(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in