Bendangnukshi (Bendang) Jamir is a legend in his own right. A dynamic personality with amazing good health and strength, this 80 year old Naga elder continues to showcase his skills as a sportsman.
Many people know him as a veteran badminton champion who has won awards both at the national and international level. He has been a regular part of the Indian team having taken part in the World Senior Championships and Senior National Veteran Championships.
Next on his radar is the upcoming World Senior Championships at Pattaya, Thailand to be held on September 7-14. Organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Bendang Jamir will represent India in the 70+ age category. He has competed at previous edition of the same event held at Ankara, Turkey and Jeonju, South Korea.
Still energetic despite his growing age, the elderly sportsman recently secured the third place in the 70+ Indian Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championship held at Goa from March 16-23 last.
Not many people know that his journey as a sportsman actually began in the football field. Fifty-seven years ago, Jamir was part of the Govt High School Mokokchung team from Nagaland that won the runners-up medal during the prestigious Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football tournament, New Delhi in the year 1968.
Rising through the ranks with his skill, agility and speed on the football field, Jamir went on to captain the first ever football team representing North-Eastern Hill University at Raipur, Madhya Pradesh in the year 1974.
It would seem that age is just a number for this 80-year-old sports veteran.
For the octogenarian sportsman, health is his biggest prize. At 80, Jamir is still active, sharp in his mental alertness, physically strong and healthy. Many young and upcoming sportspersons are surprised by the strength and energy that emanates from this elder.
It is not surprising that Jamir gets a lot of queries from young people on how to stay fit and strong. He does not believe in any ‘special diet or routine’; he eats what is available during his travels or works and enjoys simple meals prepared at home. His advice to others is “to stay active”, “work hard” and to “be happy”.
For him, “health is wealth” is his simple philosophy in life, but he emphasizes that believing in a mantra alone will not help unless one practices it. Therefore, he says he makes it a point to play sports not only to compete or win in tournaments but more importantly to maintain his health. “Health is the biggest prize,” he says.
At 80 years of age, Bendang Jamir can still execute a ‘flying smash’ with his fitness and agility. He will represent India during the upcoming Badminton World Senior Championship, Thailand to be held on 7-14 September 202
Another interesting point he makes is about undergoing ‘physical pain and endurance’ while exercising or playing sports. Many people want to be healthy but they don’t want to go through this “painful” experience and they give up easily. Jamir strongly believes that going through pain and hardship is very important for his health and life. That’s his other secret.
Other than playing regular sports, he toils hard on the land by engaging in farming activities. Jamir continues to serve the community as an elder and custodian of Naga customs, knowledge and traditions. He also serves as advisor to the Nagaland Registered Class-1 Contractors Union (NGRC-1CU).
Hailing from Mopungchuket village, Mokokchung District, Bendang Jamir is the son of Late Sobulepden and Late Chubasenla. He did his Bachelor of Arts from, NEHU, Shillong. Living an active and fulfilling life, he resides in Dimapur and continues to enjoy sports as a ‘way of life’. Married to Helena Aier, they are blessed with two children and four grandchildren.
