Ningthoujam Momon Devi: A Lifetime Devotee Of Sports

Seram Neken *

Manipuri women have won laurels in various sports disciplines and they are indeed a treasure for the whole country. Their unique achievements may be attributed to the various indigenous games like 'Uraobi', 'Kwak Kwak', 'Tandan Phaibok', 'Amangoi', 'Seboti' and 'Phibul Habi' which the Manipuri girls used to play right from their childhood. Legends have established that women in olden times participated in athletic competitions such as boating, fishing, horse riding and 'Kang'.

Because of their training on such games, women like Linthoingambi, Kuranga Nayani and Moirang Thoibi could well compete with the men. Being the descendants of these brave women, the Manipuri women of today excel in various sports like archery, polo, swimming, mountaineering etc. The overwhelming interests of our forefathers in games and sports may be considered as an inspiration to the contemporary women sports persons of the state.

'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces the sporting profile of Smt. Ningthoujam Momon Devi from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Ningthoujam Momon Devi, a woman sports pioneer of Manipur, is the third daughter of Dr. Ningthoujam Leiren and Lamabam Ningol Ibemhal Devi of Khwai Nagamapal Imphal. Born in 1933 in a sports family, Momon Devi started her sports career in 1948 during her study in TG School. According to the veteran sportswoman, she for the first time participated in the school sports meet organized on the occasion of Saraswati Puja. As an all rounder, she took part in almost all sports events. She used to practise regularly at the Imphal Pologround in early morning during that time. She said "we used to play table tennis usually upto 7.00 PM at the place where public library stands today". An adventurous and courageous woman, she was one of the outstanding sportswoman of the state who has been in the playing field even at the age of 80.

In the Manipur Olympic Games held in 1948, she participated in the high jump and long jump competitions as a player of Imphal Sporting club and stood second positions in both the events. In 1950, she won first position in long jump and second position in high jump. She also became the individual champion of the Games by winning the 100 meter race. In 1951, she won first position in Badminton,second in Hockey and again second in long jump.

On the royal patronage of Manipur king, she once said "As a sports enthusiast, Maharaj Bodhachandra along with the queen used to witness sports events at Imphal Pologround. On being satisfied with my performance, the King sent his men to enquire about my grievances. At my request, the king arranged to gift me a skirt costing Rs. 16. It was definitely an encouragement to my sporting career."

In the Manipur Olympic Games in 1956, Momon Devi represented Khwai Athletics Union and took part in Hockey, Shot-put, Badminton, 200 meter and 400 meter races. She could grasp first positions in all the events. The competitions were participated by four teams namely Town Club, Khwai Athletics Union, Eastern Sporting Union and Kakhulong Kabui Team. Players such as Khuman Leima, Alina (late), Majarui and Phoubirui took active part. Khuman Leima is the sister of Dr. Abui Kabui (Mohan Bagan) and she belonged to the family of famous sportspersons. She played Hockey well in back position as well as Goalkeeper. Contemporary women players of her time were Lamabam Bani, Harimati, Tombimacha, RK Ombisana, Y. Priyobarti, Saugaijam Padmabati etc. In the Manipur Olympic Games, a player was allowed to take part only in three events.

Momon Devi participated in the 2nd All Assam Inter College Sports festival in Guwahati from January 21-26 in 1956 representing DM College. Besides her, the team comprised Lamabam Bani, Arambam Sobita and Bimola. During that sports festival, Momon-Bani combination was amazing to the spectators. Her team turned out winner in Badminton and got first position in 4X100 relay race, first in shot put, first in running broad jump, second in disc throw, second in 200m and 400m races, third positions in 100m and 80 meter low hurdles.

N. Momon Devi was one of the pioneers of women Hockey in Manipur. According to her, women Hockey in the state started in 1951 with only two teams namely Khwai Athletics Union and the Town Club. Eastern Sporting Union joined in during 1952-53. Subsequently, a women Hockey team of Kabui women players from Kakhulong emerged. According to her accounts, some of the women Hockey players in the early period were Maisnam Sanatombi, N Sumati, Laikangbam Manisang, Lamabam Bani, Arambam Sobita, Oinam Sarojlata, Thangjam Ibetombi, Jamuna, Alena, Tarubi (late), RK Sanatombi (late), Ibecha (late), Komolini (late), Waikhom Amusana (late), Waikhom Bijaya (late), Tombimacha (late), Manorama (late), Radhe (late) etc.

Besides being the President of Manipur Women Hockey Association for two terms during 1996-2000, 2004-2008, N. Momon Devi was also the Vice President and Associate Vice President of Manipur Olympic Association during 1998-2000 and 2003-2007 respectively. She was also the treasurer of Manipur Women Hockey Association during 1980-84 and as Vice-president from 1985 to 90. She also served as the Vice President of All India Women Hockey Association during 2004-2008. She was selected as the Jury Member of women Hockey in the V National Games in 1999 and the National Games in Guwahati in 2007.

As a veteran player, she participated in the World Veteran Athletics Meet held in Hong Kong from 8-10 October 1982 in Shot-put, Discus and Javelin events for which she won three Gold medals. Momon along with Jamuna and Tombimacha were in India team led by famous veteran players such as Milkha Singh and Dara Singh. She also took part in the 6th World Veteran Games in Rome in 1985 and retained the 5th position.

In the 6th National Veteran Athletics Championship held at Lal Bahadur Stadium Hyderabad in 1984, she got first positions in Shot-put and Discus throw. Again, Momon Devi won first in the same events at the 8th Veteran Athletics Championship held in 1986. In the 9th and 10th editions of the Championship held in Haryana and Kashmir respectively, she retained the first positions in these events. She received the first prize in Discus and second in Javelin in the 14th Veteran Athletics Championship held at Kurukshetra in 1992. Acknowledging her as a unique veteran sportswoman, the state government honoured her with the Incentive Sports Award in 1992-93.

After hectic involvement in sports during 1948-1956, she took a breather for some years during which she was married to Kh Arunkumar of Thangmeiband on 28th July 1956 and got 2 sons and 2 daughters. Momon Devi served as the Superintendent of Dewlaland Children Home from 1971 to 1975. She was also the member of Manipur State Social Welfare Advisory Board in 1974 and served as Secretary of Mahila Kalyan Samiti for two terms during 1973-74 and 1986-87. Her sports career again rejuvenated in 1982, when she emerged as an exceptional veteran sports woman of Manipur. Most of her life has indeed been confined to the playing fields with her body and mind persistently yearning for generating distinguished players from her motherland.