Namchoom achieved many things in his career. A career in football to bureaucracy and then to politics, he has done it all. In many ways, he may have lost a few battles in life here and there, but he has won the war of life with courage and determination.

Football is renowned for creating legends all over the globe but very few might have everknown that a legend would be born from a small hamlet of Chongkham Village under Lohit district of Aruanchal Pradesh erstwhile North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and would rise to become a great and talented football player of the North Eastand represent India to play at Centre Forward as well as striker and adorn the jersey No 7 in two international championship held in Saigon (Vietnam) and Malaysia in 1964.

Add in an imposing physical presence, leadership qualities and aerial ability, and Namchoom is a highly valuable footballer of yesteryear. This unsung sporting hero Chow Indrajit Namchoom is an individual who showed why football received such a prestigious tag in the North East.

Many youngsters of today’s generation may not know of Indrajit Namchoom and those who know of him as a ‘pathfinder in sports’ may also have chosen to ignore him but the fact of the matter is that Indrajit Namchoom is still the first ever sporting hero of Arunachal Pradesh in the truest sense. Yes, maybe he is the unsung sporting hero today but he is still the first Arunachalee to represent India in an international football tournament, way back in 1964. And perhaps, he is the first one from Arunachal Pradesh to represent India in any international event. His chequered career across different fields reflects his passion for exploring new avenues and shows streaks of his never-say-die attitude.

Namchoom played for Gauhati Town Club from 1962 to 1969 and became the youngest player to represent Assam in the Santosh Trophy in 1959. Namchoom was the captainof the Assam Santosh Trophy team in 1963 and 1964. The leading striker of that period, Namchoom was selected to represent the Indian junior team in two international championships held in Saigon and Malaysia in 1964.

Is there anything bad you can say about this man? He is the complete definition of a legend and represents everything that was good about the game. Namchoom has gained the respect of so many people through his football prowess on the pitch, and his kindness off the pitch too.

The time is not far when people will remember and regard him as the best player of yesteryear from North East and India to ever grace this earth, as he was absolutely incredible in his day. A football legend who is considered as one of the greatest ever living footballers of North East, he is an icon to his native Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

He had the fancy footwork and passing sense of a playmaker and the killer instinct and lethal shot of a top-class striker. He was one of the best in the North East in his prime, and is definitely one of India’s best ever players. Defenders used to shake at the sight of the Indian hitman running towards them. On so many occasions Namchoom showed the world why football was such an amazing sport. Quick and nimble with a small, powerful frame, Namchoom was considered dangerous when he was lurking in the box or dropping back to receive the ball and drive towards goal.

Born in NEFA, now ArunachalPradesh, on September 1, 1942 Namchoom died at the age of 71 on October 24 2013.

Namchoom went to Guwahati to study in Don Bosco School from where he completed his matriculation in 1960 and later joined the prestigious Cotton College Guwahati and it was during this period that he was introduced to the game of football for the first time and it was a God gifted footballing talent that got embellished and meteorically, within 3 years after his introduction to the game, he played the most prestigious tournament of the times, the Santosh Trophy in 1959. For 8 years, between 1960 and 1968, he played club football in NEFA; and his loyalty was tied to the best known football club of that era, Guwahati Town Club.

For Namchoom, in those days the paradigm was completely different and football was not a lucrative career option as it is today. Given the practical situation and options in life, Namchoom chose a career in bureaucracy, joined as Circle Officer with the NEFA Government and took up his first assignment at Anini in 1969. In 1972 he got married and the very same year, he, along with his newly - wed wife went to meet the Chief Commissioner of NEFA, KAA Raja at Shillong. Impressed with his pedigree and that of his wife who is the first Arunachalee woman to possess an MA degree, KAA Raja offered jobs to both of them at Shillong itself. Later in 1973 he moved his base to Itanagar along with rest of KAA Raja’s bureaucrats which included luminaries like JM Tangu, Takap Ringu and Jikom Riba and he served the Government of Arunachal Pradesh till 1994. That was the very year when he opted for voluntary retirement from the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to enter the electoral fray for the legislative assembly seat of Chongkham. Though he lost the election that year, he came out victorious in his second attempt in 1999 from the same constituency. At a later stage of his tenure as MLA between1999 and 2004, he handled the Sports and Youth Affairs portfolio too. Once again, he became the first sportsperson to handle this ministry under the longest serving Chief Minister Gegong Apang.

The 71 - year old Namchoom died in a Kolkata nursing home after suffering from prolonged illness. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma and Chief Minister Nabam Tuki had sent separate condolence messages to Dr. Anand Namchoom, son of late Namchoom. In his condolence letter, the Governor said that Arunachal has lost a pioneer in sports and dedicated social worker. “A distinguished personality, Namchoom made immense contributions as administrative officer, Secretary, Legislative Assembly and later as its member towards socio-economic development of people, especial in sports and youth affairs,” the message said.

In his message to late Namchoom’s eldest son, Tuki expressed pain and shared the grief with the bereaved family members. “The information has come as a shock to me.  I am aware, how painful it is to you to be deprived of the love and guidance of a father and the futility of these words of condolences. I hope my humble words of consolation would ease the grief even if a little,” he said. “Late Namchoom will be remembered forever by the people for his contributions as an able Minister, a seasoned legislator, a responsible bureaucrat and an all time sportsperson,” Tuki said in his message, and prayed to almighty to bestow the family members with strength to bear the loss.

Rajya Sabha member Mukut Mithi in his condolence message termed Namchoom a pathfinder of sports in the State and a person who proved his worth both as an able administrator and a leader of the masses. “India has lost a noted sportsperson, who put this unknown North Eastern region on the global soccer map,” said Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy, who is also president of the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association. “It is a sad moment for all that Namchoom is no more,” said Legislative Assembly Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong. “His passing away is a loss not only to the North-Eastern Region but an irreparable loss to the Nation,” the Speaker said in his condolence message.

Officers and officials of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly also condoled the demise Namchoom and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. Finance Minister Chowna Mein, a close relative of the deceased said, “After toiling selflessly for the cause of the State, particularly all-round development, he has left all of us in a vacuum, his family in an abyss of grief and darkness”. Expressing deep shock and grief over the demise of Namchoom, both Education Minister Bosiram Siram and Union Minister of State (Minority Affairs) Ninong Ering in their condolence messages said that Namchoom was a very simple and straightforward man with amiable nature, who served the people with utmost sincerity and dedication.” While conveying condolence to the bereaved family, both the leaders prayed to almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace and give strength to the bereaved family members to bear the loss.

Recalling his invaluable service to the State, others who have deeply mourned his death included Gauhati Town Club and Assam Football Association, Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Arunachal Weightlifting Association and Eastern India Body Building Association vice president Abraham K Techi. Today he is no longer with us but his indomitable spirit is awe-inspiring. There is no doubt Namchoom will always be remembered for his contribution towards football in the North East especially in Aruanchal Pradesh and Assam despite the fact that many officials in the State’s football federation and Olympic Association may not remember him. But his contribution towards the game of football in the State can’t be left ignored for long….

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom