A team of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) covered 720 Km within a month across seven rivers.
TFM Exclusive Report
Dubbed the powerhouse of sports in India, Manipur has produced world-class athletes in several sports.
A team of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) entered the India Book of Records by completing 720 Km within a month during the Seven Rivers Exploration Expedition – 2020, held at Arunachal Pradesh.
Lousambam Labango (38) of Mayang Imphal Chabung Company, Imphal West district was also part of the record breaking team in the expedition. Son of L Leishang and Loushambam (O) Luhini Devi, he is a senior instructor of white water rafting and open water scuba diving at NIMAS, Arunachal Pradesh.
The 25 member team led by NIMAS director Col. Sarfraz Singh achieved the feat between November 23 and December 23, 2020. They covered a total of 720.216 Km across seven rivers — Kameng River (115.822 Km), Dibang River (108.776 Km), Nao Dihing River (75.54 Km), Lohit River (50.714 Km), Subansiri River (142.332 Km), Siyom River (87.838 Km) and Siyang River (139.194 Km).
Labango informed TFM that on February 13 it was confirmed that the feat has entered the India Book of Records 2021, but he came to know of being a record holder on March 26, 2021.
Elated about the feat, he said that the team practiced for around 15 days for the expedition. But the record was never in the minds of the team, he added.
Labango further informed, he has participated in several white water rafting competitions and adventure cups, while winning several. This includes first position in 7th National Rafting Championship (R6), bronze medal in 1st Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championship, silver medal in 1st Open Slalom Championship and 4th India Cup, gold medal in 4th National Rafting Championship and Central Comd Adventure Cup 2004.
Training has been halted due to the prevailing situations induced by COVID-19 pandemic, he said while adding that he is aiming to set more records.
Labango exhorted the youths of the state to properly train under coaches if they are interested in mountaineering and white water rafting, in order to bring laurels to the state.