Boxing Association Mokokchung Free Boxing Coaching Camp: Coaches’ profiles

Profile of the Coaches/Technical Instructors at the ongoing 10-day Intensive Boxing Camp for Children Aged 5 to 16 years

Name: Master BENDANGAKUM
Village: Mekuli
Present Address: Kichutip Ward
Area of expertise: Black Belt in New Kung-fu, Muay Thai and Karate

Master Bendangakum, perhaps, might be one of the most recognizable faces in the field of Kung-fu/Karate sports in Mokokchung. He has a passion for combat sports and he started practicing from a young age.

He has represented the District in many tournaments; his greatest achievement was the participation in Bangkok (Thailand) in an international tournament.

Bendangakum has also been imparting kung-fu/karate classes in Mokokchung town for nearly twenty-five years. His students are many and have represented the district and won medals in state and national level tournaments.

Bendangakum is a Technical Instructor in the ongoing boxing coaching camp and his main focus is teaching the young participants on honing their speed, building stamina and developing punching power.

About the present coaching camp, Bendangakum expressed deep satisfaction at the big turnout at the registration table.

“There is a great scope in boxing and we must continue with this passion. Even if five-six boxers can be moulded through this camp, then we should be satisfied,” said the Master.

In a word of advice to the young participants, Bendangakum maintained that hard-work, dedication and determination is a must for excellence. However, he also advised the students not to neglect their academic studies but rather take sports as a co-curricular activity to keep their body fit and healthy, enable their mind to stay sharp, and enhance their confidence as they explore their future.

Name: Coach NOKINYANGER
Village: Longjang
Present Address: Alichen
Area of expertise: Boxing

Coach Nokinyanger is an experienced boxer who started practicing the sport for more than ten years now. He has represented Mokokchung district in the State Level tournaments. Coach Nokinyanger had also participated in National level tournaments in Kolkata and Guwahati representing Nagaland state. In the national level tournament in Kolkata, Nokinyanger bagged the Silver Medal.

He views Boxing as a great sport where one can learn not only about self-defence but also develop a healthy attitude towards life. He said that a boxer has to maintain good hygiene and be disciplined which ultimately helps in moulding the personality of the person.

On the activities of the Boxing Association Mokokchung, Coach Nokinyanger was of the opinion that unlike Dimapur and Kohima, the boxing scenario in Mokokchung is still at a nascent stage. However, he strongly maintained that if the present tempo continues, then surely the sport of boxing will come at par with other districts within the next few years. The only condition, according to Coach Nokinyanger, is that the present enthusiasm and activity initiated by BAM should continue without a break.

In a word of advice to the young participants at the coaching camp, Coach Nokinyanger said that the coaches and instructors will teach all they know during the Camp, however, they must take the skills as an art and not to misuse it outside and indulge in bullying others. Rather, they should take the boxing skills as a means of self-defense, hone their talents and dream of representing the district or the state in the state, national or international tournaments.

Name: Coach AKUM IMCHEN
Village: Mangmetong
Present Address: Artang Ward
Area of expertise: Boxing

In his own words, Coach Akum Imchen says that boxing is in his blood. And he says it with valid reason. His father Late Anokwaba was a boxing coach in Nagaland Police. His father was one of the pioneering boxers and boxing coaches during the late 1970’s. So, boxing came naturally for Akum Imchen. And his enthusiasm and love for boxing bear witness to it. But his day job is as a Librarian at Nagaland Bible College, Artang.

Coach Akum Imchen looks at boxing as a sport that keeps a person physically fit. It trains a person to be self-disciplined and also restraints persons from indulging in anti-social activities as it hones the body and mind of a boxing practitioner.

On Boxing Association Mokokchung, Coach Akum Imchen strongly asserted that the Association should continue with its good works and should not stop at exploring young talents and promoting the upcoming boxers. He expressed confidence that with this push from the BAM, Mokokchung can also produce great boxers and added that we should aspire to become like other states, particularly Mizoram.

In a word of advice to the young participants at the camp, Coach Akum simply said two phrases, “Be disciplined, be punctual.’

Name: Coach TONGPANGNOKCHA
Village: Changki
Present Address: Mongsenbai Ward
Area of expertise: Boxing

Perhaps the youngest among the Coaches engaged in the ongoing Free Boxing Coaching Camp, Coach Tongpangnokcha has already made a mark as a pugilist in the state arena. He started practicing more than six years ago and his coach was none other than Late Sir Tako, a professional boxer in Nagaland Police department.

Coach Tongpangnokcha had participated in the Nagaland Olympics Games in 2017 in Dimapur and he bagged the Bronze Medal in Boxing. He is also a promising MMA (Mixed Martial Art) fighter and participated in the MMA tournament held at Mokokchung Multipurpose Indoor Stadium in 2015 where he bagged the Silver medal.

About boxing as a sport, Coach Tongpangnokcha maintains that it helps in maintaining good physical fitness, stimulates a person to be disciplined, and keeps a person energetic.

He expressed satisfaction at the BAM for promoting the sport of boxing and said that the formation of the Association is propelling the sport in a very systematic manner and leading the future in the right direction.

His advice to the youngsters attending the camp, in simple words, is: Enjoy the coaching camp. Be disciplined. Take boxing as a means of self-defense and not misuse the skill. We, the coaches and technical staff, will teach the best, learn what you can and aspire for higher.

Name: Master MONGSEN LONGKUMER
Village: Mopungchuket
Present Address: Mopungchuket village
Area of expertise: Kickboxing – Black Belt 1st Dan

Master Mongsen Longkumer is a National Level Gold Medalist in kickboxing. He was also a Gold Medalist in the state level tournament held in Dimapur years back. He has been practicing kickboxing for the past more than twenty years and there is no denying the fact that he is Master in this art of combat sport.

Master Mongsen looks at Boxing as a sport with great scope which must be given importance by the society. “We Nagas can excel in boxing as there are different weight categories and we also have it in us to excel in this field of sport if we are dedicated,” said Master Mongsen. He encouraged all the aspiring boxers, especially the ones attending the free coaching camp, to maintain good physique and a healthy lifestyle. He affirmed that the present coaching camp for the young children aged 5-16 years is the right time to build a strong foundation to produce future Naga boxers.

He expressed deep appreciation to Boxing Association Mokokchung for reviving the sport of boxing in the district and asserted that if things go on enthusiastically like this, then there would be many boxers from the district who would excel even in the National arena.