Mizoram Association

HISTORY OF BADMINTON IN MIZORAM

It cannot be ascertained as to how the Mizo people got acquainted with the game of badminton but it can undoubtedbly be considered one of the first non-traditional games that was played by the Mizo people. It is believed to have been brought home by some Mizo boys who pursued education outside the Mizo hills way back in 1926-27.It cannot be ascertained as to how the Mizo people got acquainted with the game of badminton but it can undoubtedbly be considered one of the first non-traditional games that was played by the Mizo people. It is believed to have been brought home by some Mizo boys who pursued education outside the Mizo hills way back in 1926-27.

The first proper badminton event on record was the the Hrawva Badminton Tournament organised in 1927 at Babutlang and the present Synod Press location. The organisers included Messrs. Vankhuma, IA, Chuauthuama, Sawmaithanga, LH Liana, Lalhmingthanga and Lalhlira. Legend has it that upon the request of these gentlemen, the then Headmaster of Boys ME School Mr. Hrawva contributed a sum of Rs. 75 which was used to buy a championship trophy for the same. This particular tournament was an annual event between 1927 – 1930. Mr. Chawngzika and Mr. Vankhuma became champions for the three consecutive years owing to which the prized trophy was owned permanently by the duo owing to their hat-trick of championship.

Badminton players during the era usually procured their gear from Haudalla shop, Dawrpui. A shuttlecok during those times costs Re. 1/- whereas a badminton racket would cost anything between Rs. 7 to Rs. 11/-.

Hrawva Badminton Tournament was soon followed by the Jai Bahadur Sahi Badminton tournament which was held during 1930 – 1932. Jai Bahadur Sahi, upon whose name the tournament was christened was a teacher at a Bengali School who himself was indeed a prominent figure in the badminton players’ community. Mr. Chawngzika was again the dominant force throughout the tournament too having won the championship on three successive editions, this time partnering Mr. Lalropara. They permanently got hold of the trophy this time around too with the three successive wins. The Synod Press Badminton Team was considered to be the best badminton team during the era. The two tournaments usually had five to eight teams participating in the events.

Badminton players during these period usually honed their skills and played the game at the lawns of Synod Press, the courtyard of Boys ME School and the open space in front of the Sapte Bungalow (Now the Chief Secretary’s residence).Badminton players during these period usually honed their skills and played the game at the lawns of Synod Press, the courtyard of Boys ME School and the open space in front of the Sapte Bungalow (Now the Chief Secretary’s residence).

1951 witnessed a rather unique badminton tournament organised by the Thakthing Club for the champion was to win a trophy none other than a fully grown prized ram (goat). The tournament itself being organised as a fundraiser by the Thakthing Club suggests that badminton was indeed a very popular game during the period and that it was worthwhile to even raise revenues out of it. The Thakthing Club ‘Goat Tournament’ indicates that there would undoubtedly be several other badminton tournaments during the period as well. The ‘Thakthing Goat Tournament’ itself drew a considerable number of participants and the organisational setup of the tournament was found to be managed exceedingly well upon the analysis of the records.participants and the organisational setup of the tournament was found to be managed exceedingly well upon the analysis of the records.

Badminton in Southern Mizoram Lunglei town witnessed a badminton tournament as far back as 1930. Messrs. J. Buana, F. Biakliana Murray, Durra and Zodingluaia jointly sponsored four shields and cups to organise a badminton tournament in 1945 too.

The year 1972 witnessed the introduction of a badminton tournament for the Southern Mizoram Districts of Lunglei and Chhimtuipui. The Lunglei Deputy Commissioner Indoor Stadium hosted the events. This annual tournament was thought to have played a pivotal role in popularising badminton in southern Mizoram. Another badminton tournament was simultaneously organised in the southern town in the same year with trophies donated by Messrs. F. Biakliana Murray, J. Buana, Thala and Zadingliana.

Badminton in Eastern Mizoram

Badminton has been played in eastern Mizoram since long back. The first recorded event dates back to 11 August  1977 played in Champhai Community Hall (presently known as Champhai Town Hall) with a category comprising of Men’s Single, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles. Pu Lalgeorgethanga and Pu C. Denghlira were the first two persons who donated Rs. 200/- each for organising the first Badminton Competition.

Badminton played indoors for the first time

It was in 1963 that Mizoram saw badminton being played indoors for the first time. With wooden panels and walls and roofed with corrugated tin sheets, Serchhip town, located halfway between Aizawl and Lunglei, was the proud host of the first indoor badminton court in the whole of Mizo hills. The current Mizo High School Indoor Stadium at Mc.Donald Hill, Aizawl was also completed as an indoor badminton stadium in and around 1974.

Saron Badminton Club

Established in 18th October 1968, the Saron Badminton Club may be considered the forerunner and pioneer of properly organised badminton clubs of the modern era in Mizoram. The club has to its credit of organising numerous badminton tournaments time and again which includes :1. Saron Veng Neihbourhood Tournament (Doubles) 19682. Aizawl Town Open Badminton Tournament (Doubles)3. Taia Memorial Badminton Tournament (Doubles) 19684. Badminton Competition (Mens Singles ) 1969)5. Mixed Doubles Competition (1969)6. Patea Memorial Badminton Competition (which became an annual event for 5 years from 1969 onwards)7. Vandailova Memorial Badminton Tournament 1974

Aizawl Badminton Youth Club & Youth Club

The Aizawl Badminton Youth Club and Youth Club also jointly organised several badminton tournaments during the period which are listed as follows:1. Mens Singles & Doubles Tournament 19732. Mens Singles,Doubles & Mixed Doubles,19743. K.Laldailova Memorial Badminton Tournament,19744. Mens Singles & Doubles,1974.