For many decades, the people of Manipur have had a passion for cricket, with many cricketers in this state having high hopes to play at the highest level of the game. In India, while the sport of cricket represents a game, it is more of a passion within the country. The BCCI, or the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the wealthiest cricket board in the world simply due to the popularity of the game. However, no Manipuri cricketer has ever made it to the national team, which leads one to question if it is possible a cricketer from Manipur would play at such a level. Just then, Bishworjit Konthoujam, who is the son of Konthoujam Rajendro and Konthoujam Shama Devi, a resident of Patsoi Part IV in the Imphal West District, has become the first cricketer from Manipur to sign a contract with an English Club, Tynemouth CC, affiliated with the England Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He has been a cricketer for over the last eight years and has been a successful cricketer with several records, including the first cricketer from the Northeast zone to take 50 List-A wickets. Like never before, his accomplishment has rekindled the hopes of aspiring cricketers and their families by demonstrating that a professional career in cricket is no longer a distant dream.
To better understand the current status of cricket in Manipur and Bishworjit Konthoujam’s remarkable journey, the Imphal Review of Arts and Politics (IRAP) has an exclusive interview with the star cricketer.
Excerpts from the interview:
IRAP: What inspired you to play cricket, and was cricket the first sport you loved?
Bishworjit: Adjacent to my home was a public field to which I went to play from a very early age. I loved cricket so much I would join when the older boys played. During school vacations, we had tennis ball cricket tournaments that I participate in regularly. However, this was a time when cricket had nowhere near the following or exposure it does now, so very rarely would I get the chance to play leather ball cricket which is what a professional cricketer plays. This was a brief introduction at the Oriental College field, but I did not have the ability to focus upon cricket at the time.
As a youngster, I was completely mad about cricket. It became such a prominent theme in my life, that my friends and I would play in our school uniforms while waiting for the school van. After school, I would immediately run off to play cricket instead of going home! Although I loved the game, I was more invested in boxing. At the time, my parents did not see a bright future in cricket; they were of the notion that individual sports like boxing were more promising. My sister played sports and used to support my parents by encouraging me to engage in boxing as well. I once stayed at SAI (Sports Authority of India) in life under Oja Ibomcha for boxing but never gave up cricket. Nonetheless, when I had boxing obligations, I still made an effort to sneak in cricket matches as much as I could. I won state and national medals in boxing, and went to compete in the National Games but still, did not forget about the game of cricket.
IRAP: When did you decide to shift your focus entirely to cricket?
Bishworjit: I participated in a boxing event in Arunachal Pradesh around 2014-2015 and won a gold medal. After returning, I suffered from a shoulder injury and required rest. During the injury, a local cricket event was happening in my place; that’s when Leishangthem Ronen (Da Mocha), the current secretary of the cricket association of Manipur, encouraged me to be serious about cricket and made me a bowler. After that, things really began to change. I began focusing on cricket and playing in several tournaments. Eventually, I was slowly guided away from boxing, and began playing state and national cricket tournaments in the Northeast and other regions of the country, winning many of those tournaments.
A significant milestone took place in the 2018-19 season, when the Manipur Cricket Association’s affiliation was reinstated, allowing us to take part in the top national tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. I made the transition from junior cricket to now playing in these premier tournaments, which has allowed me to get to this point, signing with an English cricket club. It is remarkable to think how far I have come from playing informal games in my local community to reaching this level of professional cricket.
IRAP: What were the steps that led you to sign with Tynemouth Cricket Club?
Bishworjit: I had a similar opportunity in the 2020-2021 season, but it was during that time when COVID-19 was prevalent, so I felt it was not the right time to play, and I missed the chance to play cricket for nearly two seasons. In the season prior to now, foreign clubs and agents were seemingly very interested in watching what players were doing in high-profile competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Clubs and agents would evaluate how a player scored runs, took wickets, or contributed to their team; essentially they were keeping a log of all the stats and performance data in their database. After watching each game closely, they would assess results, keep track of player movement, and assess overall performance. Eventually they would find a player they really liked and give that player the terms and expectations required to play for a particular club. These clubs begin their cricket season in the months of April to September, and after discussing further, I reached an agreement on the terms of joining Tynemouth Cricket Club. My experience in England is an exciting milestone for my career, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead!
IRAP: What is the current status of cricket in Manipur, and what advice do you have for young cricketers aspiring to make a mark in the sport?
Bishworjit: Cricket has improved in Manipur from the time we started. There are now many clubs and training centers, which were near nonexistent in the past. The game is growing, but it is essential that the young cricketers, after just discovering the game, are truly passionate about the sport rather than merely being a trend. In the same spirit, parents should not stick their child in cricket, at the prospect of its improved status in Manipur. The care for the game must come from the player on their own, and the parents supporting their child. Success in this sport requires a long-term commitment from the player and family, consisting of hard work, commitment and discipline. Before, there were very few tournaments, but now, in every season, we are consistently organizing age-group competitions such as the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 tournaments. This allows young cricketers to have competitions to learn, play and build their careers from a young age. It has been and will continue to increase the number of cricketers, with thirst for the game, and summer camps are now regular to encourage the young players.My advise to younger players is simple, never stop pursuing greatness. The journey to being a successful cricketer is very difficult, and yet, determination, consistent work and having the right mentality, one can achieve their dreams.
IRAP: What are the benefits of signing with an English club, and do you think it will help future generations of cricketers in Manipur and India?
Bishworjit: I see this opportunity not only as positive for me, but for my home state of Manipur, and India. I will have a chance to play competitively at a different level, experience different training practices, and immerse myself in a different culture of cricket. I will learn new experiences, knowledge and skills that will improve my own game, and I can share learnings with cricketers back home. More than even my own development, my priority is to use this opportunity to create pathways for young cricketers in Manipur and throughout India. I want to support and mentor a new generation of cricketers, to get to my level, and to go beyond my level at international opportunities. I want to network with some of the biggest clubs in the world to help create pathways and better training, facilities and opportunities for aspiring cricketers from my region.
The writer is a media scholar and professional
