Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Association observes 91st foundation day

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 4 : The Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Association observed its 91st foundation day in a solemn function at Thang-Ta Shanglen, Yumnam Huidrom on the theme-" Culture, Sports, Tourism and Education".
The observance programme was attended by Thounaojam Priyokumar, former secretary, Thang-Ta Federation of India; Huidrom Premkumar, president Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Association and Nongthombam Noren, secretary Luwang Thang-Ta Academy as presidium members who led Thang-Ta enthusiasts and students in paying tributes to Thang-Ta Sintakpurel RK Sanahal and others.
Functional president, H Premkumar, in his address, recalled how Thang-Ta was revived after being banned following Manipur's defeat to the British in the Anglo Manipuri War of 1891.
The teaching and practice of indigenous martial art form was banned for a very long time after the historic war but the ban came to an end on May 30, 1934 when the then king of Manipur Churachand chaired a meet of Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahashabha and resolved to allow open practice and promotion of Thang-Ta, he said.
Before that, Thang-Ta had to be learnt and practiced during night time or in the cover of dense forest, he said.
In line with the new resolution of 1934, the formal teaching and practise of Thang-Ta was restarted on November 4, 1934 by Sintakpurel Rajkumar Sanahal, he said while adding that the day mark the foundation of Meitei Huyel Langlon Academy which is now called Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Association, Manipur.
Through the words and advice of the visionary Sintakpurel RK Sanahal, the association has been able to widely promote and popularise the indigenous martial art form and organise State and National level competitions including Inter College events as listed in the sports calendar of Manipur University, he said. Not only these, Thang-Ta has been recognised as a sports discipline by Khelo India and as such a Thang-Ta student can avail a scholarship amount of Rs 10,000. Thang-Ta academies have also been opened in Manipur, Assam and Tripura under Khelo India scheme and process for opening of many centres is in pipeline, he said.
To further promote the game internationally and with an objective of including Thang-Ta as an Olympic event, the association has worked and been able to constitute Thang-Ta Federation of India, Asian Thang-Ta Federation and World Thang-Ta Federation, he said.
He also expressed his desire to see further push from Ministries concerned to reach out the game to youth across the globe.