Morung Express News
Kiphire | October 19
Thongtimoba Chang from Nangpong in Tuensang district has a storied career in athletics with a pile of medals won while representing his district and the state at various events.
The youngest in a family of three siblings, his first encounter with running was when he was working as a village guard and came second in a marathon race organized in Tuensang on the occasion of World Olympic Day in 2005. After serving as a village guard for seven years, he joined the Nagaland Police in 2014 and is now a Lance Naik.
“In the initial years, when I heard of marathon races being organised though radio or friends, a few likeminded friends would come together, collect money for our travel and take part in the competition and if we were lucky, we would recover the travel cost through our prize money,” remembers Thongtimoba.
“In many instances, I took part in races not because I was informed or got trained but just to represent the district and also to see how I would do,” he states.
Despite the several accolades he has won, Thongtimoba has not received the amount of recognition he deserves. “The only acknowledgement I remember was a cash award of Rs 16,000 when I won gold for the state in 10000m and 5000m in the North East meet at Mizoram. The cash was deposited in my account by the Nagaland state coach saying it is was an award; but I don’t know who the source of the money also,” he says.
The state coach, he states, would call him up to represent the state, following which he would travel to Dimapur and train for a week or so before participating in events.
Currently undergoing coaching in the DGP team Nagaland at Chumukedima, Thongtimoba has won nine medals representing the state. “The only allowances I got during those days were NST bus fare for travel from Tuensang to Dimapur and running equipments like track suits and sneaker,” he adds.
When asked about his opinion on the sports scenario in Nagaland, Thongtimoba says: “It will be very encouraging if we have proper infrastructure because I have seen good opportunities in sports taking part in other states. We can also do it but the lack of infrastructure and training is a hindrance for youngsters.”
