Yumnam Imocha : Nurture School Games for sustained sports development in Manipur

Seram Neken *

'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the sports profile of veteran player Y. Imocha from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri)...

Veteran football player Yumnam Imocha, son of Yumnam Gouramani and Sanggai Devi, was born in 1945 at Yumnam Leikai Imphal. From the very childhood, he used to play games at the Yumnam Leikai Lairembi Ground and later at the Pishum Hao Ground. Initially, he had joined the erstwhile 'New Popular Club' of Yumnam Leikai before the formation of IBSA (Indo Burma Sporting Association) by covering upto Chingamakha in 1960.

In an interview, the veteran footballer stated, "Since the New Popular Club (NPC) was very weak, some players preferred to call it as Nungtigi Poba Club". After playing in the IBSA for a few years, Imocha became a senior player of Yaiskul Athletics Club team in 1966. The players of YAC during this time were Sougaijam Somorjit (Goal Keeper), Borobabu (Stopper), Y. Imocha (Left Back), Imo (Right Back), Kaminikumar (Half), L. Kumar (Half), S. Ojit (Right Out), Priyokumar (Right In), RK Madhurjit (Centre Forward), L. Ramkumar (Left In), Basantakumar Kabui (Left Out). Yaiskul Athletics Club earned the runners up position in the CC Meet 1966, while the Imphal Sporting Club lifted the winner's title.

While studying in DM College, Y. Imocha participated in the All India School Autumn Meet at Madras in 1966. Manipur team which defeated Bengal by 1-0 goals was composed of players such as Dipak Kumar Limboo (Goal Keeper), Thokchom Mangi (Right Back), RK Bijoy (Half), K. Kamo (Left Half), Magu Kabui (Right Out), Chaothoi Kabui (Right In), L. Ramkumar Centre Forward), Luingaini Kabui (Left In), Naran Kabui (Left Out), Goura Singh, A Ratankumar and Yumnam Imocha. Oja Thangjam Modhu was the team manager while Oja N. Brajamani served as the coach.

By 1967, he took part in the Captain MN Gupta Trophy in Silchar as a player of Manipur Eleven team. Meanwhile, by this time Imocha along with Manihar Sharma of Thangmeiband and K. Brojen of Knongman passed the BA examination, thereby enabling them to freely play football during 1967-69. In 1969, Manipur lifted the champions trophy in Captain MN Gupta trophy. The same year, Yumnam Imocha and Manihar Sharma joined in the Manipur Police as Sub-Inspector. During the police training period from 1969 to 1971, his football career met its peak.

After returning from the Police training course, Imocha began to play for the IBSA club in 1971 only to come back to the Manipur Police football team again. By 1972, IBSA team could reach the Senior A and a number of known players were in the team. Those in the IBSA team were L. Ramkumar (Centre Forward), Ch. Santikumar (Forward), Gourahari (Back), Vaukhulal (Goal keeper), Y.Imocha (Left Back), Thokchom Mangi (Right Back), Y. Bhaskar (Half), AK Basanta (Half), L. Chaoba (Back) and Kh. Sarat (Half). IBSA along with ESU turned out joint winner of the CC Meet in 1972.

Recalling the exhibition match of 1971, the veteran player said that All Manipur Sports Association organized two exhibition matches at Imphal by inviting the East Bengal team. Unexpectedly the Manipur Eleven defeated East Bengal team by 2-0 goals, the first goal was scored by Ramjoy of Thangmeiband and second one by AK Surjit of TRAU. After a keenly contested play, the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw in the second match. Thus the invitation matches were often arranged by the All Manipur Sports Association during those days.

By 1974, Imocha was in Manipur Police football team which accommodated around 24-25 active players. Among them, he could recall the names of Dipak Kumar Limboo (Goal Keeper), Bidhu (Left back), Y. Imocha (Right Back), Kamo Kumar (Stopper), Th. Mangi (Right Back), Gouro (Half), RK Bijoy (Half), Premchand (Right Out), Maipak Sharma (Left Out), Madan Sharma (Right In), Abui Kabui (Centre Forward), Sana from Kshetri Leikai (Centre Forward) etc. The trainer during the time was W. Kaminikumar.

In 1975 CC Meet, Manipur Police team got defeated in quarter finals while Aryan Club and Rajasthan retained first and second positions. In the 1976 edition of the Meet, Police team finished in the runners up position with the Young Physique Union grasping winners title. Again in 1977, Manipur police team got the champions defeating Young Physique Union.

While serving in the Police department, he found a hectic schedule both in playing football and for attending the duty. During his football career, Y. Imocha participated in CC Meet six times. After fielding in CC Meet of 1977, Imocha gradually left sports as he was posted at Chandel as Officer In Charge. after retirement from Police Department as DSP in 2005, Imocha served as Secretary of IBSA club for two years.

For the development of sports in Manipur, the veteran player suggested to implement a specific games policy in schools in order to hunt the sporting talents of young students.

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