OVERBOARD 2019

 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.

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Tanglei Festival 2017 (Review)

Tanglei Festival

(Review)

by Lukhendro Keisham

          Organised by Oinam Sports Association the second edition of Tanglei Festival was held from 5th to 12th February, 2017 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam. It is a multiple day socio - cultural festival featuring sports, music, fashion, art & culture, human resource, food, health and hygiene related events along with the promotion of local business and entrepreneurs in the area.

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TANGLEI FESTIVAL 2016 (Review)

T A N G L E I    F E S T I VA L

31^st January to 13^th February, 2016

Venue: Tangleibung Ground, Oinam

(formal review)

                                                                                                                                   by Lukhendro Keisham

     Tanglei Festival 2016 was held from 31^st January to 13^th February, 2016 with the formal closing day held on 6^th March. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Laishram Radhakishor Singh (Ex – Minister, Oinam Assembly Constituency), Mr. Nongthombam Biren Singh (M.L.A, Heingang Assembly Constituency), Mr. Oinam Budhi Singh (Chairperson, Oinam Nagar Panchayat) and Mr. Soibam Priyokumar Singh (Vice Chairperson, Oinam Nagar Panchayat) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively. With the opening of Tanglei Festival 2016 the chief guest of the day Mr. N. Biren Singh also inaugurated the TANGLEI CUP 2016, seven – a – side football tournament and INSCRIVION, a photo exhibition which is a part of the festival.

     As a part of the festival the Oinam Badminton Association organized a one day TANGLEI BADMINTON TOURNAMENT at Thambal Marik College’s Indoor Hall. The association plans to make the tournament bigger in the coming editions. Prizes were also distributed on the same day. Mr Waikhom David Singh (President of Thambal Marik College’s Governing Body) and Mr. Oinam Bikram Singh (Chairperson of Thambal Marik College’s Governing Body) were the President and Chief Guest of the badminton event respectively.

Pana Mukna as a part of the Indigenous Games & Sports

     The INDIGENOUS SPORTS DAY was held on 7^th February, 2016. On the day a Pana Mukna was played between Khangabok Pana and Mayang Imphal Pana in which the former won the game 9 – 5 with 1 tie. The Mukna was conducted under the supervision of All Manipur Mukna Association. Mr. Sorokhaibam Tomba Singh (Retd. Z.E.O of Thoubal District), Mr. Bijoy Laitonjam (Principal of The comprehensive School Oinam), Mr. Oinam Bikram Singh (Chairman of Thambal Marik College’s Governing Body) and Mr. Yelam Ramananda Singh (Advocate and Member, Bar Council of Manipur) graced the day as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively.

Mr. Kumar Kabui, khunlakpa of Oinam Kabui Khun

     Trade stalls entitled POTPHAM LEIKAI were also set up at the venue. It includes handloom & handicraft, electronics, sports accessories, clothing, etc. Food and snacks stalls are also included among the stalls.

     A free medical camp was conducted on 11^th February entitled HEALTH BAR. It is a part of the health and wellness event of the festival. The camp was conducted by a team of doctors, nurses and crew of Shija Hospital & Research Institution (SHRI), Imphal. Around 600 individuals from Oinam and the surrounding areas turn up for consultation. Free medicines were also distributed by the various pharmacies located at Oinam.

Inaugurating INSCRIVION, the photo exhibition

Tanglei Cup

     Matches of TANGLEI CUP, seven – a – side football tournament were simultaneously conducted daily at the venue during the festival. Altogether sixteen teams took part in the tournament. The teams include F.C.B of Bishnupur, S.S.S.F.C of Singjamei, THALES of Yaiskul, T.R.U.G.P.U.C of Nambol, S.F.C of Sanjenbam, F.C.P of Ima Keithel, E.S.O of Bamdiar, T.F.T (A) of Oinam, Y.A.D.A of Kangsoibi Mapal, T.F.T (B) of Oinam, K.S.Y.C of Hiyangthang, Y.S.W.A of Utlou, K.P.F.C of Kha Potshangbam, M.F.C of Moirang, I.C.C.I of Irengbam and L.A.S.H.A.L of Leimapokpam all from the state. The first day of Quarter Final Matches of the tournament on 8^th of February was graced by Mr. Waikhom Meipak Singh (Ex – President of Bishnupur District Indian National Congress) as President and Dr. Thounaojam Nabakishor Singh (D.M.O Bishnupur & Chief Functionary of LCHEDA) as the Chief Guest. Day Two of the Quarter Final Matches was graced by Mr. Thingbaijam Swarankumar Singh (Social Scientist & Teacher of Oinam Govt. Boys High School), Mr. Col. Sanjay Rawat (Comanding Officer of 1/5 Gorkha Regiment of Khoirakpan Pump House) and Mr. N. Tikendra Singh (Sub – Inspector of CDO Bishnupur) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively on 9^th, February.

     Semi Final Matches of Tanglei Cup was held on 11^th February with Mr. Sorokhaibam Chandramani Singh (Proprietor of Capital Electronic) and Mr. Oinam Chaoba Meetei (Researcher & Social Scientist) and Mr. S. Kishorjit Singh (Sub Inspector of CDO Bishnupur) as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honour of the day respectively.

Guest

     The official closing day of the festival was held on 6^th March, 2016 with Dr. Irengbam Ibohanbi Singh (M.L.A of Oinam Assembly Constituency & Opposition Leader of Manipur Assembly), Mr. Govindas Konthoujam (Minister of Commerce & Industry, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Sericulture, Manipur) and Councillors of Oinam Nagar Panchayat as President, Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively. Shiv Seva Samiti of Oinam presented the opening song of the function. The final match of the Tanglei Cup was played on the day between T.F.T (A) of Oinam and E.S.O of Bamdiar. At the match E.S.O defeated T.F.T (A) with 6 to 2 goals. The winning team walk away with Rs.50, 000/- and the runner with Rs.30, 000/- cash as prizes. The winning prize of Tanglei Cup 2016 was sponsored by Irom Ajitkumar Singh, an employee of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited in the name of his grandmother - in - law, Mrs. Oinam Kaboklei Devi and the runner’s by Oinam Sports Association.

     Before the final match a veteran football friendly was held among the veterans of Oinam. As a part of the women’s event a tug – o – war match was held. All winners and participants were honored with humble cash prizes.

Women Tug - O - War Teams

     Club Muzik Events, Impact TV, E-Pao.Net and Oinam Official were the event, television, online and page partners respectively. The official event page is www.facebook.com/TangleiFestival.

     The TOWN DAY and WOMEN DAY were dropped by the organisers on unavoidable circumstances. But as to keep up with exclusive events for women and the town the women’s tug – o – war and the veteran football match were included among the closing day’s events. The closing day witnessed a jam packed crowds from neighboring towns and villages of Oinam.

INSCRIVION, photo exhibition

     It was truly a festivity to explore, initiate and promote the indiginuity of the state. The original games and sports of the indigenous people of Manipur see a new daylight here. Not any entertainment nor cultural programmes were held during the festival. Various organizations in the state boycotted such events due to the ongoing board exams in the state. From the point of the organizers the festival was a huge success.

ORGANIZED BY

Oinam Sports ssociation

ORGANIZING TEAM

Mr. Lukhendro Keisham as Organising Secretary

Mr. Priyojit Konthoujam as Supervisor de Tanglei Cup

Mr. Inaoshing Oinam as Supervisor de Ground Maintenance

Mr. Bishan Laishram as Supervisor de Participating Football Teams

Mr. Sadananda Oinam & Shyamananda Keisham as Supervisors de Inscrivion

Mr. Homen Panchaimauym as Supervisor de Pana Mukna

Mr. Surjit Konthoujam as Supervisor de Veteran Football Match

Mr. Shankar Mutum as Member

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ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL 2015

O  I  N  A  M      S  P  O  R  T  S      A  S  S  O  C  I  A  T  I  O  N  ‘  S

ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL 2015

(Review)

Players, referee and officials of the veteran category

  
   The 2015’s Annual Sports Festival of Oinam was organized by Oinam Sports Association (O.S.A) from 5^th to 9^th March. This is the third consecutive time the association has been organizing the event since 2013. With an intention to cover all the leikais of Oinam this year’s football tournament was held at Oinam Maning Leikai’s Ishat Lampak. Though termed as a festival with multiple sporting disciplines the event was more of a football oriented with a total of twelve teams taking part at the Oinam only competition. All participants are exclusively restricted to the electorates of Oinam alone.

     Participating teams includes Irabot Celebration Committee Oinam (I.C.C), Fireball, Real Oinam F.C, Yaoshang Sports F.C, Jadubi Team, Red Gin F.C, Youth Affairs & Sports Association Oinam (Y.A.S.A.O), Lamdaibung Youth Club Oinam (L.Y.C.O), Tangleipung Semgatpa Naharol Lup Oinam (T.S.N.L.O), Ereima Youth Club (E.Y.C), Wills Killers and Educated Unemployed Transport Owners & Drivers Association (E.U.T.O.D.A). In that five-day-tournament the teams competed in both league and knock-out matches.

     The tournament started on 5^th March and only two matches were conducted on Day One. Day Two was the most hectic day for the organizers as they had to conduct ten matches on the day so that the tournament gets completed as scheduled on 9th. It was planned that the day’s matches will be played at Ishat Lampak, the venue of the tournament and at Oinam Kangjeibung to completely unlock the day’s ten matches. But only the host venue was used. It was the well crafted effort and strength of the organizers and the cooperation of the participating teams that the day’s goal was achieved. The league matches ended on Day Two.

     Eight teams went through quarters (K.O Round). Those teams who went through were T.S.N.O, R.O.F.C, Y.S.F.C, Y.A.S.A.O, R.G.F.C, E.Y.C, Jadubi Team and Wills Killer. It was a crucial a.w.s fun to watch these teams fight to step into semis. As usual we could see the community boyhood quarrels and argument among the teams. But at the end of the day they all ended with fun, jokes, gossips and laughter, a moment to cherish for. Those were the best moments of the tournament as they want their teams to win and get through to the next level. You could see sons competing against their dads, brothers against brothers and friends against friends but all under the mutual spirit of the game.

     Day - 4 began with a taste of veteran matches. As a part of the veteran competition four teams were registered. Teams who played at the veteran category were the Tangleipung Semgatpa Naharol Lup Oinam’s Team-A and Team-B, Ereima Youth Club (E.Y.C) and Super Veteran Oinam (S.V.O). But the matches were marked as warm up matches as there were only four teams competing at the veteran category. The organizers decided to cut short their competition through semis directly. Later at the day semi final matches of the main tournament were held. The first semi-final was played between Wills Killer and Yaoshang Sports F.C in which the later won the match. In the second semi-final E.Y.C outplayed Y.A.S.A.O to make it to final.

     Day - 5 was the final day of the tournament and the whole morning session of the day was reserved for women and children. U.K.C.C.L, one of the premier organizations of Oinam organized the event. Various traditional sports and fun games were conducted. Traditional sports like Laphu Kabi and Hawai Maru Khunbi were done for the kids along with games like spot quiz, 50 meter race, marathon, etc. Marathon was conducted for both women and children.

     Later semi final matches for the veterans were conducted. With a mutual agreement among the participating teams Super Veteran Oinam decided to play against T.S.N.L.O – (A) and T.S.N.L.O – (B) to met E.Y.C again. The opponents in these matches were the same who met each other on Day – 4’s warm – up matches. Than at the semis it was a scene of surprise to all the fans and supporters. Super Veteran Oinam defeated T.S.N.L.O – (A) in a tie break and T.S.N.L.O – (B) beat E.Y.C again. Meeting T.S.N.L.O – (B) at the final Super Veteran Oinam came out winner and turns the whole table to them. Super Veteran Oinam was the winner of the veteran category.

     And at the main final match of the open category Yaoshang Sports F.C defeated Ereima Youth Club bringing the tournament to a close. Prizes were distributed just after the match with Yaoshang Sports F.C taking away the highest worth of reward.

     Highest honor of appreciation goes to Mr. Naorem Ranjit Singh and Mr. Sorensangbam Surjit Singh of Oinam Awang Leikai who conducted all the matches of the tournament as the centre referee. Others who inevitably contributed their skills, time and support in organizing the tournament are Mr. Oinam Budhi Singh (Chairperson - Oinam Nagar Panchayat), Mr. Longjam Baleshor Singh (International Referee - Volleyball Federation of India), Mr. Waikhom Kunjo Singh of Oinam Mamang Leikei and Mr. Oinam Yaiskul Singh (Advisor - U.K.C.C.L).

     It was the planning and effort of the organizing team who brought this edition of the Annual Sports Festival to a highly valued event in the future causes of development in Oinam. One of the eye witness result of this event is the creation of a new playground at Oinam Mamang Leikai named Ibudhou Tangleibung Lampak. The tournament brought about the unification of various organization and groups of Oinam. The organizing team includes Lukhendro Keisham (Gen. Secretary, O.S.A), Priyojit Konthoujam (Games & Sports Secretary, O.S.A), Samananda Oinam (Information & Publicity Secretary, O.S.A), Baodhon Oinam (Member, O.S.A), Shanta Oinam (Member, O.S.A) and Mutum Kumar Singh (Member, O.S.A).

     One thing leads to another. To activate and unified all the clubs, organizations, groups and individuals of Oinam into one exclusive unit was the next targeted task if Oinam Sports Association after this Annual Sports Festival. Members of the association believe that development and growth of the town lies on the peaceful co-existence of all the Oinamchas through sharing of mutual skills and understandings.

Name:

ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Venue:

ISHAT LAMPAK, OINAM

Date:

5^th to 9^th MARCH, 2015

Organised by:

OINAM SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Organising Team:

- LUKHENDRO KEISHAM
-SAMANANDA OINAM

-PRIYOJIT KONTHOUJAM

-BAODHON MUTUM

-KUMAR MUTUM

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Irabot Day Celebration 2014 (Oinam)

30th Sept. 2014 

Oinam

written by Lukhendro Keisham

       Regarded as one of the biggest campaign of its kind in Oinam the Irabot Celebration Committee (Oinam) conducted a mass sanitation programme from 27th to 30th of Sept., 2014 at Oinam. It was a sanitation campaign to create an awareness of the life and ideologies of Lamyanba Jananeta Hijam Irabot to the denizens of Oinam and the masses.

       Around 200 volunteers from various leikais of Oinam participated the daily mass sanitation drive at various sites and leikais of Oinam. It includes cleaning of public properties like road sides, drains, govt. building campuses, crematorium, etc. The cleaning of road sides covered from Irom Leikai at Mamang Leikai to Keithel Leikai at Tiddim Road extend of Oinam.

Cleaning Works at Oinam Keithel

       On the 30th of Sept. a celebrational birth anniversary function in the name of Hijam Irabot was held at Oinam Mamang Leikai. The function was presided by Oinam Budhi Singh (Chairperson, Oinam Nagar Panchayat) who shared his happiness and support for the youth who took part in such a noble cause. Oinam Chandrahas Singh (senior citizen) was the chief guest and Yumnam Joykumar Singh (Project Director, NESRIP, P.W.D - Manipur) and Oinam Chaoba Singh (retired advocate) were the guest of honors. Oinam Chaoba spoke about the life and journey of Lamyanba Irabot to the attending crowds. Joykumar stated that the development of a society depends on the youth and request the people of Oinam to collectively come forward in unity and work together irrespective of a separate leikai or group. Apart from the presiding guest the function was attended by various leaders, youth, social workers and individuals of Oinam.

       After the speeches a traditional local boat racing competition, Hiyang Tanaba was held at Oinam Turel (Oinam River). Categories of the competition includes Men's & Women's Group along with a Men's Individual. The winners and participants were awarded with a very nominal cash prize just after the competition at the main stage at the open community hall of Ireima Laimang Laibung, Oinam Mamang Leikai.

       Later an entertainment non-competitive dance session was conducted at the main stage. Fourteen dancers from Oinam and the surrounding areas participated the show. The main attraction of the day's event was the musical concert by the most trending singing sensations of the state. During the concert a mass candle lighting ceremony also took place in which both sides of the road from Mayai Leikai's Pukhri Mapal (Bammon Mamang) to Mamang Leikai till the venue of the event were lighted with paper lanterns. The four day observation and sanitation programme in memory of the most important reformer, Lamyanba Jananeta Hijam Irabot came to an end.

Hiyang Tanaba

       Apart from the four days campaign the Irabot Celebration Committee, Oinam extended the cleanliness drive on the 2nd Oct., birth anniversary day of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of Indian Nation). On this day the volunteers cleaned the campus of Ibudhou Tangleibung, the wholesome worship site of Oinam town.

       The Irabot Celebration Committee, Oinam's sanitation campaign of 2014 was not possible without the mention of the valuable donors, guests, participants, volunteers of Oinam Sports Association and most importantly the denizens of all the leikais and supporters who came out wholeheartedly. It was the effortless and priceless dedication and hard works by the youths of the organizing committee that made it all possible. Special grace to all who with no boundaries of day or night, wealthy or poor, came out honestly for such a noble cause.

Paper Lanterns

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NOKIA'S YAOSHANG ROCK SHOW, 2012 (Review)

NOKIA'S

YAOSHANG ROCK SHOW 2012
22nd April, 2012 / YAC Range Ground / Imphal
(Review)

By Lukhendro Keisham

     As a sequence to its first edition held at D.M College's NCC Ground in 2011 the Nokia Manipur came back with the Yaoshang Rock Show on 22nd April, 2012 at Y.A.C Range Ground, Imphal. Keeping up with the promises and charismatic ideas to make it an extravagance the event was the biggest rock event in Manipur till date.

     June Neelu (5:00 pm), who was making her big debut in Imphal opened the show. She was a promising female solo artist from Imphal, based in Bangaluru. Featured in the then recently released Manipuri music video "Laklaroi" by B. Meisnam and selfie videos on Youtube she came to limelight and became the 

overnight heartthrob of the Manipuri music trend. Gifted with a clean detectable voice and backed by well-balanced musicians June along with the band came down to battle out the expectations of the crowd. A very familiar tune from her was Rolling in the Deep by Andale which most of the crowd cheered.

     Fringes, the classic sediments of the legendary rock and blues offered the day with its enchanted artistic form of music after June. They embarked the day with melodies from covers to originals. Born in an era of only few classic bands in the country the Fringes as seen were serious to dig down the path to fame someday. It was simply music and rest were the fans waiting for excitements to happen though a little stranded by their new faces.

     The venue was half full as June Neelu came out for her second session after Fringes. With an extra flavor of the stage lights beginning to light up she was one good looking pretty face in Imphal that day. They put up a calm but cool outstanding kind of musical transaction to the fans chilling out at the taste of the grand venue set up by the Manipur Nokia Team. It was indeed a very special day for her.

     Angellica was the next. With an instrumental touch in all of its song they came up with a smoothly heavy presentation. The band was a glitter of new lights with a touch of classical instinct. It was a rare moment to see a bass guitarist took up the mike for a number. His name was Mocha Gurumayum. Heartfelt feeling is that he passed away a few days back due to a prolonged illness. Sorry that this review came out so late to him. Just as they were to wind up the band announced an album in the making which will be released within that year (2012) was a memory to recall. Rests in peace Mocha, your memories are with us in our hearts.

     Silence for awhile and the whole venue roar up in sudden as they got the glimpse of the hottest band of the evening, the Apples. This all girl band from Aizawl is on their first ever gig in Imphal. They glittered the evening with a pile of covers which includes Californication by RHCP, I Love Rock and Roll by AC/DC, etc. to mention a few. These three apples simply thrilled the fans with their girly but highly energizing showman attitude. Serious behind the mike with a rock n roll guitar sounds, smashing drumming acts and a never deflecting bass back up was what the Apples were that evening. It didn’t seem so hard for the ladies to still the show. They wind up with All Night Long.

PARIKRAMA

     As the girls exit the roar took to a new height for it was the Shades of Retribution, the lone metal band of the evening. Also they are the only band of that evening whose songs are not marked with English lyrics alone but Assamese, indeed the true tongue. We couldn’t quite understand the words but the man on the mike give a brief of all the songs they did before each song. Venomous Society, Mandatory Suicide, Satru the Enemy (from their second album), Inner Sin, etc. were some of the title meanings of their originals as translated. Shredding guitar sounds, flipping of the guitar tremolo by the lead guitarist and fading down of melodies in between the songs made them the heaviest of all the bands that evening. These dark whiskers from Assam floored the party to a loud, heavy and symbolic high. It was during their slot we came to realize that the front barricade was weak and won't last long.

     The final act of the day was the all-time favorite and the greatest band of the country, the unbreakable and the reliable Parikrama. The band had played a number of times earlier in the city. They began with Am I Dreaming. It was But It Rained that brought the band closer to the fan with the later joining the song in chorus. Nitin Malik’s ambient to high pitching vocal made the dense smoke filled stage into a deep lightning cloud. Out of nowhere it was hard to find fresh air due to the dust erupted from the pushing and tossing of the crowds. The older it gets the better they sound is what Parikrama was.

June Neelu

     Sonam Sherpa, the guitarist of the band had a lighted cigarette in his machine head during one of the number. Watching him use the slide on his guitar frets reminds of the old school rock and roll era. Flashing stage lights and dense fog from the smoke machine caught the air around Y.A.C Range Ground on fire. The cops were well alerted and the horns bow in respect for the legends. It was such a lovely sight to see Nitin Malik rub the shoulder of Sonam Sherpa from a wild insect that flew by during the middle of Tears of the Wizard. And on the other side Saurabh Chaudhry (2nd guitarist) was adjusting his guitar tune in between the play on, an act of long standing experience. Rhythm of Blue, In the Middle, Am I Evil, etc. were some of the set list to name a few more that day. They wind up with Highway to Hell.

     It was a great moment to witness the greatest band of the country. With an unrelenting performance it was one of their best gigs in Imphal. It was always a heartthrob experience whenever I watch this band (Parikrama) was what I recall a fan gossip among a retrieving crowd. They made the evening short. Along with the thrilling waves from Sabir Malik’s keyboard the fine guitar tone, easy drumming moves, warm bass patterns, energizing violin solos and the amazing vocal pitches rippled the crowd to one of the most memorable gig here in Imphal.

     But never to forget was the extra set of effort and the well-crafted quality event hosting works by Manipur Nokia Team. Fascinated and truly impressed the Nokia’s Yaoshang Rock Show 2012 is the best gig ever witnessed in Manipur. Thanks to the security crew the front barricade did last till the end.

     We rubbed the dust out from our vehicles parked outside the Y.A.C Range Ground and headed home safely. I would like to thank the Nokia Manipur for organizing such a great show. And most importantly the fans who showed up to make it a huge success.


Event Name: Nokia’s Yaoshang Rock Show, 2012
Date: 22nd April, 2012
Venue: Y.A.C Range Ground
Organized by: Nokia Manipur

Tickets: Rs.200/- & Complementary Passes

Written by: Lukhendro Keisham
Visit: LukhendroKeisham.blogspot.in

© Lukhendro Keisham
All rights reserve.

**Check out the photographs of the event here.

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