L Imbocha Singh is a transformative boxing coach from Manipur whose pioneering efforts revived and revolutionised the sport in the state and across India. Overcoming hardship and heartbreak, Singh has produced over 60 international boxers, including legends like MC Mary Kom, Ng Dingko Singh, and Sarita Devi.
Known as the “father of modern Manipuri boxing” and the founder of women’s boxing in India, his visionary leadership and unyielding dedication earned him the prestigious Dronacharya Award and a revered place in Indian sport history.
Early Life
Born in Sugnu, a remote village near the Myanmar border, L Imbocha Singh was nicknamed the “village buddhu” (fool) due to his awkwardness as a child. His initial exposure to boxing came when an Indian Army soldier from his village gifted him his first pair of gloves in the 1970s.
This sparked a passion that would guide his life’s work. Singh later joined the Assam Regiment, where he refined his boxing skills and earned distinction as one of the top pugilists, but his dreams of representing India internationally were dashed just before his debut.
Founding Modern Manipuri Boxing
Singh’s heartbreak transformed into resolve. Returning to Manipur in the 1980s, he faced a region where boxing was nearly banned after violent incidents decades prior, and infrastructure was non-existent.
Singh became the driving force behind rekindling the sport, forming the Manipur Amateur Boxing Association with fellow enthusiasts. Facing daunting challenges, training with rice bags as punches and coaching barefoot on muddy grounds, he pioneered a grassroots movement that revived the sport’s popularity in Manipur.
He was the first Manipuri boxer to win a national medal in the early 1980s and started coaching young talents, emphasizing discipline, sincerity, and humility, values still inscribed on training halls today.
Championing Women’s Boxing in India
Before women’s boxing was recognised nationally, Singh had already taken bold steps to develop female boxers, a groundbreaking effort in a traditionally male-dominated sport. In the 1990s, when the Indian Boxing Federation laughed off the idea of a women’s division, Singh organised the first women’s bouts in Manipur, producing national champions and Olympians years ahead of formal endorsement.
His most famous protegee, MC Mary Kom, credits him with foundational coaching and constant support, a bond immortalized in films and in India’s sporting history.
Legacy of Champions and Leadership
Singh’s mentorship forged the careers of numerous international medalists: Dingko Singh, who ended India’s 16-year Asian Games gold drought; Sarita Devi, P Narjit, M Suranjoy, and many others, totaling over 60 international pugilists trained under his guidance.
His trainees include two Olympians, two world champions, Arjuna awardees, and the four-time world women’s boxing champion Mary Kom. Singh’s role extended beyond coaching, he famously risked his position to protect promising talents during turbulent times, embodying a father-figure role for “his children.”
His legacy continues through his disciples, now spread across the country contributing as coaches, mentors, and sports officials.
Recognitions and Impact
In recognition of his lifetime contributions, Singh was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2010, India’s highest accolade for sports coaching. Sporting bodies and officials consistently praise his indelible impact on Indian boxing and youth development.
Beyond medals, Singh’s legacy is a story of social transformation, how empathy, vision, and resilience can uplift an entire community through sport.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
L Imbocha Singh exemplifies the profound change possible when kindness meets steadfast determination. His unique mix of discipline, humility, and heart has transformed a neglected sport into a powerhouse inspiring countless youth, especially women, to dream big.
His story challenges us to recognise the changemakers behind the scenes who build futures, break barriers, and sow seeds of hope and unity.
Age is just a number to your health and fitness. And L. Ibomcha Singh, Boxing Coach and a Dronacharya Awardee, proves that to be 💯% true with his skipping rope workouts. Watch the video 🎥#FitIndiaMovement #DontSkipRopeSkip @KirenRijiju @DGSAI @RijijuOffice @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/5rgXWTlTWJ
— Fit India Movement (@FitIndiaOff) March 28, 2020
