OVERBOARD 2019 ~ Lukhendro Keisham

OVERBOARD 2019

Review by Lukhendro Keisham

At Joujangtek after Downhill Race.

The second edition of Overboard was held from 2nd to 3rd April, 2019 in Manipur. This year the championship was an independent event with riders competing for Push Race and Fastest Downhill titles.

Official poster of Overboard 2019.

Push Race was conducted at Manipur University Campus on 2nd April, 2019. In a relay format with riders divided into two teams the race was a stunner for most university students seeing the sport for the first time. Winners in group were Sagar Gharat, Benson Laikhuram, Antima Bisht, Suyash Sudheesh, Johnson Pukhrambam, Ibomcha Oinam and Ruben Wahengbam. The runners were Albrin Nongthombam, Mayur Kharat, Ayaz Shaikh, Lanchenbam Soibam, Ruben Roy, Pilot Longjam and Andy Kangabam. After Push Race rest of the day's schedule was cancelled due to bad weather. The entire Overboard team along with the riders were suppose to had to Joujangtek for Downhill Race to be conducted on the following day which includes recce run and an overnight camping.

At Manipur University Campus for Push Race Competition.

The storm settled on 3rd April, 2019 morning and all had to Joujangtek, a small village along Old Cacher Road for the downhill race. Except a temporary road block due to a rockslide the roads were warm, clean and dry. We got down from our vehicles to wait for earth movers to clear the stones for safe passage. It was a refreshing feeling to cast ourselves into the deep hilly terrains of Old Cachar Road in that late morning sunshine. Also known as Tongjei Maril the highway is considered to be first trade route of Manipur to rest of India, whereas some memoir as stairway to heaven for smugglers and revolutionaries in the older days.

Boris Nongthomba, Race Director of Overboard 2019.

On reaching Joujangtek the team met the village representatives to ensure permission and support from locals in conducting the race. First the volunteers conducted a pre-race clean up session along the racing stretch of the highway while riders set out for trial runs. Khaba Maimon was crowned the winner's tittle for Fastest Downhill of Overboard 2019. Ibomcha Oinam and Ambedkar Huidrom secured the first and second runners up respectively.

Prize distribution session at Woods And Earth, Waroiching.

A prize distribution session along with an after event gathering was held at Woods And Earth, a private camping property at Waroiching in the evening. Special award for Best Upcoming Rider goes to Albrin Nongthombam whereas Sagar Gharat bagged the tittle for Outstanding Rider of Overboard 2019.

Started in 2018 as a part of the socio - cultural Tanglei Festival Overboard is the only longboard skateboarding competitive brand and the first of its kind in India. Since the first Overboard in 2018 the team had made new friends and partners who helped in conducting the 2019 edition. Apart from local riders participants from Mumbai, Pune and Dehradun took part at the competition.

Manipur University Campus before Push Race Competition.

Organised by Oinam Sports Association in association with Longboard Crew India's Manipur Wing prizes for Overboard 2019 were sponsored by Oxelo Skateboards (Decathlon Belapur, India). Event partners include Xavia Racing (Pakistan), Woods And Earth (India), My Life On Board (Philippines), Dong Camy Photography (India), Dave's Hippy Oil (Canada), Club Muzik Events (India), Spyonsky Arial Photography (India), Pyrrhic Crew (India), Kebbek Skateboards (Canada), Elevate (India), Twenty Nine Lives (India) and Imphal Free Press (India).

Lukhendro Keisham, Boris Nongthomba, Narjit Konthoujam and Jhansi Leihaothabam were the Event Director, Race Director, Event - Coordinator and First - Aid Assistant respectively for Overboard 2019.