The Group photo shows the Staff and the 2nd, 3rd and Final Year students.
A60
Most of the 2nd Year students graduated in 1960.
U Tin Htoon (A60)
1960 ARAE Regatta
Past Captain & Gold, RUBC.
Won the Union of Burma President’s Challenge Cup for Inter-club Coxed Eights in 1956.
Won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with Dr. Harry Saing (GBNF).
Won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo, with Dr. Harry Saing (GBNF), Sunny Teng, Victor Htun Shein (GBNF) and Sein Htoon (M63)
Won Silver medal for Yachting at SEAP Games in Bangkok with Hla Khin.
Founded Architects Incorporated with U Bo Gyi (A59, GBNF) & U Aung Kyee Myint (A60). They later joined PWD.
Designed Thiri Pyit Saya hotel in Bagan
Designed Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore
Board Member of Pariyatti Association
Fundraiser & organizer for selected Goenka projects
In 1963, he compiled the Souvenir Magazine for the RUBC 40th Anniversary with Sithu U Tin (President) and U Po Zon (Vice President).
In 2013, he chaired the subcommittee to publish the Souvenir Magazine for the RUBC 90th Anniversary. U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold) was Vice Chair. U Htaik San (Henry Kao, M81, RUBC Gold) was Secretary. U Hla Min (EC69) was Contributing Editor, who wrote Prelude for every section and three feature articles.
Retired after working in Myanmar, Singapore and California (USA)
Co-founder, Triple Gems Publication
Compiled Photo Albums with Htaik San (Henry) for his parents, two elder brothers (U Tin U & U Ba Than) and a nephew (Dr. Peter Tun, who passed away with COVID-19 in UK).
U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
Founded Architects Incorporated with U Bo Gyi (A59, GBNF) & U Tin Htoon (A60)
Retired Chief Architect of PWD.
U Kin Maung Yin (A60, GBNF)
Part-time saya
Proponent of Modern Art
Movie Director
Koon Yin Chu (Phillip Chu, A60)
First in Burma in Matric exam of 1954 from SPHS
First in the Class of A60
Attended SPZP-2000
Restaurant owner; Good dancer
Chemical
Seven ChE60 graduates
ChE
U Aung Zaw Win (Ch60)
Col. DI/HIC ( Retired)
U Tha Tun Aung (Ch60)
Maj. DI (Retired)
Director HIC (Retired)
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Win (ChE60, GBNF)
Dr. Maung Maung Win
Retired as Professor of Chemical Engineering
Masters from Kansas University and Doctorate from Purdue University
Civil
U Tun Aye (C60)
Amara Hall, volleyball player Captain
He was from Nyaungdon
U Tun Aung (C60)
Secretary of Prome Hall S&R (1958-59)
Prome Hall football team member
U Taik Lwin (C60)
Major, GE (Retired), GBNF
Director, HIC
U Lay Lwin (C60)
Major, GE (Retired)
Director, TSC
Ministry of Industry 2
U Khin Zaw (C60)
Major, GE (Retired)
U Soe Lin (C60)
Construction Corp. (Retired)
U Kan Aye (C60)
Director (Public Works) (Retired)
CC
He was from Moulmein
U Soe Kyaw (C60)
MOC (Retired)
He was from Thaton
U Than Ngwe (C60, GBNF)
CC (Retired)
He was from Mandalay and brother of the late U Than Shwe
U Ba Swe (C60)
Dy. Director ( Water/ Sanitation), Public Works
Per U Aye : Volleyball team mate Prome Hall selection in 1958-59
U Hla Thein (C60)
CC (Retired)
Prome Hall selected footballer.
U Kyaw Htin (C60)
Construction corporation
He was from St.Patrick’s HS, Mawlamyine
U Tin Ohn (C60)
Port Commissioners, Yangon.(Retired)
Went for further study in Australia.
He was from SHS No.1, Mawlamyine.
U Hla Tin (C60)
Irrigation (Retired)
A writer/poet (Kaytu Win Tint), my mentor, senior colleague from Prome Hall, he was in room no. 102, while I (U Aye N62) was in room 108.
He was from Toungoo.
U Hla Thein (C60)
From State HS No,1, Mawlamyine
Ramanya Hall basketball star
Yangon City Development (GNBF)
Electrical
U Mg Mg Myo Nyunt (EE60)
Major (DI) (Retired)
(also known as Ko Than Nyunt at Prome Hall)
President of SPARKS (1958-59)
U Htay Swe (EE60)
He was from St Patrick’s HS. Moulmein. He matriculated the same year with U Aung Tun (DI) .
U Than Htut (EE60)
ECC (Retired)
Passed away while on state scholarship to the US.
U Nyan Tun (EE60)
EPC
He was from SHS No.1, Mawlamyine
U Tun Yee (EE60)
Dy. Director (Electrical), Public Works
Per U Aye : He was from Prome Hall, known for body building, our instructor for body building in his room, 1958-59.
U Soe Thein (EE60)
Attended SPZP-2000 with his brothers Saya Dr. Aung Soe (C61) and Saya Dr. K C Chiu (ChE63)
Mechanical
U Aung Tun (M60)
Major(Retired), Defense Industries (DI)
St. Patrick’s HS, Mawlamyine
Prome Hall selection in football and basketball
U Hla Shwe (M60)
Lt Col (Retired), Defense Industries
U Khin Maung Win (M60)
EE, BPI (Retired)
He was from Morton Lane Judson HS, Moulmein
Nelson Khaing (M60)
Major (DI) (Retired)
Dy. Supdt No.4 HI
U Tun Aung Zaw (M60)
Ministry of Mines
Per U Aye : He was my senior neighbour at Prome Hall in 1958-59), room number 107, while I was in room number 108.
Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
Past Captain & Gold, RUBC
Taught Industrial Management (formerly taught by sayas from Social Science & Institute of Economics)
Co-founder & Past President, BASES
Financial Controller, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Donated to various RIT-related projects (e.g Library Modernization
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60)
U Tin Maung Nyunt
MS from Virginia Tech
Taught Agricultural Engineering at RIT
President of RIT Thaing
Worked in Thailand & USA.
Donated to Norcal RITAA & YTU Library Modernization Project.
U Than Tin (M60, GBNF)
U Tin Htut & U Than Tin
RUBC Gold
Won the Union of Burma President’s Challenge Cup for Inter-Club Coxed Eights in 1956
U Than Sein (M60)
Due to schedule conflict, he could not join the M60 Reunion lunch with U Tin Htut & U Than Tin.
Saya U Tun Shwe (M60)
U Tun Shwe
Patron of RITAA, SDYF and SPZP.
Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles. His host was his cousin U Win Htay (Walter Cheng Lyan, M70).
U Bo Lay (M 60)
EE Mechanical (Retired)
Irrigation Dept.
U Hla Shein (M60)
Asst Lecturer, 1960-61
Moved to CC
Manager, Insein Workshop
Part time lecturer on mechanized construction.
Metallurgy
U Than Shwe (Met60, GBNF)
Lt Col, Defense Industries
MD -Heavy Industries Corp.(HIC)
Minister for Industries
U Kyaw Win (Met60)
Lt Col (Retired), Defense Industries
Public Health
U Maung Maung (Public Health 60)
Major-GE(Retired)
UNICEF (Sierra Leone)
UNICEF(New York)
He was from Morton Lane Judson HS, Mawlamyine
During his assignment in FAO project in Sierra Leone, U Aye met U Maung Maung in Freetown
With Saya U Aung Khin (Former Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering, RIT)
SF Bay Area Alumni Group
He was the Leader of SF Bay Area RIT Alumni Group.
Bay Area Alumni
When the Group founded RIT Alumni International, he served as President.
SPZP-2000 Organizers
He was a Core Organizer of SPZP-2000. His article “Brother, can you afford $500 and more?” saved the organizers from U Nyo Win’s Act.
He took me to a BAPS picnic. He demonstrated “Burmese Goodbye” by taking an hour to greet alumni on the way back to his car.
To avoid monotony, he takes a different route going out and coming back. He did not mind missing an exit; he would simply make a turn at the next one.
He, Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, U Ko Ko Aye (GBNF), Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and me would meet monthly to have Coffee / Tea & Dosa တိုရှည် and chat.
Sometimes, Dr. San Lin would come down from Santa Rosa to see Saya U Soe Khaw (GBNF). Saya Allen & I would join them for lunch gathering, which extended until dinner.
Saya is interested in Comparative Religion & Culture. Saya U Aung’s anecdote mentioned Saya Allen’s visit to a mosque and Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore.
He supervised the C73 Final Year project, where his two students used the UCC computer.
Saya survived two Strokes, but succumbed to the one at the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. He joined his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the Reunion.
Saya did not live long enough to see his four grandsons.
May Saya rest in peace.
Two Sayas
Brief Bio
Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin
Born in Mandalay, attended St. Joseph English Convent and St. Peter’s Boys’ School in Mandalay and the Methodist High School in Rangoon.
Graduated B Sc (Engg) in Civil Engineering in 1958 from Rangoon University and joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer in the same year at the invitation of Prof T Ba Hli, then Dean of Engineering.
Awarded the Burmese Government State Scholarship for study in the United States from 1960 to 1963, and the US Government Fulbright Travel Grant.
Received the degree of Master of Engineering from Harvard University in 1963, specializing in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
Returned to Burma and joined the newly formed Rangoon Institute of Technology in Gyogon.
Served as Lecturer in Civil Engineering from 1964 to 1975, except from 1966 to 1968 which was spent on advanced study in Hydraulics Engineering in the Netherlands at Delft Technical University under UNESCO assistance program for Burma.
Immigrated to USA in 1975. Currently working at the California Department of Transportation as Project Engineer.
Married to Mu Mu Kin in 1971 and have two surviving children, Myo Lynn and Thuzar Kin. Mu Mu works at TIBCO Software Inc in Palo Alto to supplement the family income.
Work Experience:
Soils Engineer: Mueser Rutledge Wentworth and Johnston, New York, NY, 1975-1978.
Washington DC Metro Subway Project. Civil Engineer: International Engineering Company, Inc, San Francisco, CA, 1978-1983.
USAID Bangladesh Fertilizer Warehouses Construction Project.
Senior Staff Engineer: Morrison Knudsen Corporation, San Francisco, CA, 1984-1996.
DOE Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project.
Principal Research Associate: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 1997.
DOE Yucca Mountain High Level Radioactive Materials Repository Project.
Transportation Engineer: California Department of Transportation, Oakland, CA, 1999-.
My dear parents gave me birth and brought me up to be a good son. My teachers taught me everything else I know. My land of birth, Myanmar, through the sweat and hard work of its citizens supported and paid for my engineering education and my studies abroad. To each and everyone I am obligated and I give my thanks. For it is narrated in Al-Hadith that one who does not thank one another in this life even for little favors is unworthy to thank the Lord for the big favor.
Updates
Saya retired twice.
He was coaxed by his former students to un-retire twice.
Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) requested Saya to work at the Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley.
Later, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) requested Saya to work as Consultant for CalTrans.
He passed away before his final retirement.
There are four grandchildren. One has Allen as the first name. Another has Allen as the middle name.
Founding member of RIT Alumni International and served as its President.
Best known for his article, “Brother, can you afford US$500?”
In memory of Saya, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Sayas’ books to YTU Library. She also offered scholarship to eligible YTU students via NorCal RITAA.
His friends sometimes call him “Htay Bo Htay”
Enrolled at Harvard University, but also attended some courses at MIT (e.g. “SCHEME” / Lexically scoped Lisp)
Loves to program his calculator using Reverse Polish Notation
Per Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, Saya Allen Htay is the eldest of five siblings (three brothers and two sisters). Youngest brother and youngest sister predeceased Younger brother is in Yangon. Younger sister in the US East Coast.
Civil 1958
Class photo was sent by Saya Allen Htay
Dr San Hla Aung helped to identify classmates
U Khin Maung Win (Sidney Chen, GBNF) supplied the photograph.
Class of Civil 58
Sitting: (1) U Pu (2) Dr. Aung Gyi (3) U Min Wun (4) U Ba Hli (5) Mr. Redpath (6) U Ngwe Thein (7) Mr. Eswara (8) Mr. Num Kock
1st Row: (1) Khin Maung (2) Than Aung (3) Htay Aung (4) Khin Maung Lwin (5) Kyaw Tin (6) Win Thein (7) Chit Pe (8) Shwe Tun Maung (9) Win Maung (10) Thein Lwin (11) Tun Yi (12) Than Pe
2nd Row: (1) V. Kumar (2) Kyaw Hoe (3) Allen Htay (4) Ba Hnin Chit (5) Kyaw Mya (6) Kyaw Din (7) Irwin Myaing (8) Chit Aye (9) Maung Maung (10) Nolan Wu (11) Morgan Singar
3rd Row: (1) Patrick George (2) Oscar Shirazee (3) Hla Shwe (4) Aung Par Thein (5) Saw Lwin (6) San Hla Aung (7) Shwe Win (8) Douglas Hoe (9) Sidney Chen
Notes
There was a mini-gathering at SPZP-2000. The attendees include
Mr. Num Kok (Portland, Oregon, GBNF)
Dr. Aung Gyi (Ottawa, Canada)
U Min Wun (Los Angeles, California, GBNF)
U Allen Htay (Mountain View, California, GBNF)
Dr. San Hla Aung (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Mr. Oscar Shirazee (Middle East)
When Sidney Chen’s health was failing, his daughter requested us to let his classmates and friends know that he was eager to regain contact with them. Sadly, he passed away.
Mr. Oscar and U Aye Win Hlaing used to work in Iran many years ago. Mr. Oscar’s spouse is the sister of U Ngwe Zoe (Peter, SPHS57, GBNF).
Due to schedule conflicts, Saya Dr. San Hla Aung could not attend some SPZPs. He retired at the age of 80. He is now free to attend many SPZPs.
Saya Dr. Win Thein (GBNF) succeeded Saya U Min Wun as Professor and Head of the Department. Except for a warning sign from an early Medical check up, Saya was healthy. He finally passed away in Yangon. His sister has donated Saya’s Garawa money to selected Charities.
Brother, can you afford Five Hundred Dollars?
And many weekends spent away from your family as well? If you can then you probably are a member of the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe organizing committee.
It all began one day several months ago when we met over lunch at Benny Tan’s home in Hillsborough. Ko Hla Min and Ko Khin Maung Zaw among the lunch party had started the RIT Alumni website and were receiving enthusiastic responses. Hearing that the duo were carrying on the project all by themselves we decided to throw in our moral and financial support to assure its survival, realizing that it was providing a needed service for the RIT alumni to locate and communicate with each other. Every one present, ten of us at that time, took out our checkbooks and wrote out one hundred dollars each, with promises of more as needed. We informally called ourselves the RIT Alumni Bay Area Group. I was asked to be the group leader.
After that fateful event we continue to have regular meetings, hosted in turn at the homes of some among group members: Ko Hla Min, Maurice Chee, Ko Myat Htoo, Ko Thein Aung, and most recently Dr Nyo Win. Did I leave out any one? Ah yes! Ko Myint Swe and San San Swe. All the while the membership continues to grow and our objective keeps on changing from support of the website to some vague dream of a future RIT alumni organization on a global scale and finally settled on a plan for RIT Alumni Grand Reunion at the beginning of the 21st Century. Ko Hla Min broached the idea to include Saya Pu Zaw Pwe as part of the Grand Reunion in keeping with the Myanmar custom of honoring one’s teachers. As our plan jelled we got carried away by our own excitement and started talking about holding the reunion before the end of the Year 2000. After all, ending one millennium successfully augers well for success in the next millennium.
Before we fully realized what we were up to we have found an ideal site, the Embassy Suites Hotel conference hall near the San Francisco International Airport, and found ourselves making a commitment for a definite date, 28 October 2000 and a attendance fee of fifty dollars, a modest amount to encourage maximum number of Alumni to participate. The minimum capacity of the conference hall is 200 seats and we were required to make down payment and sign a rental and service agreement based on 200 seats. Our most optimistic estimate at the time was 100 attendees. If the attendance is low that means the Bay Area Group, as the Organizing Committee was not in force at the time, will have to make up the short fall. Which could amount to as much as five thousand dollars, or five hundred dollar from each group member. We hesitated a moment to reflect on what that means to us individually in terms of diminished spending power. But, in the end our attachment to RIT and the engineering profession, our sincere desire to meet the Sayas and class mates from whom we were separated for long over came us. We will accept the risks.
Thus was born the preparations in full swing for the Grand RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Others must tell the rest of the story – of struggles, compromises, and elations along the way and from participants themselves what it means to be present at the defining moment in the history of RIT Alumni.
Allen Htay, RIT Alumni International – Bay Area Group RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Organizing Committee
Appreciation of SPZP-2000
Hello All:
Thanks and Congratulations for a well organized and well executed event. I believe we all went to bed early Sunday night irrespective of the change back to Standard Time (from Daylight Savings Time according to the rule “Spring forward, Fall back”) , and no doubt slept soundly and very happy, knowing full well what happened during the past three days is more than what we dared to dream. I for one took the Monday off and forgot lunch because I woke up so late. But what is one missed lunch!
Allen Htay
____
Dear Ko Maung Maung Than (M79):
Thanks for your note of appreciation for the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Everybody chipped in: the sayas, organizers, committee members, helpers, supporters like you which we were very fortunate to have, the alumni and general guests and well-wishers. We won’t be able to host an event of this magnitude and importance if any of the components were missing.
Success belongs to everyone.
Thanks again for your generous support
Allen Htay
Remembering Saya Allen Htay
From Saya U Thit
Dear Colleagues and students
I am very sad to hear that Allen Htay passed away.
I have known Allen Htay since the early 1950s when we were both students at Methodist High School, Yegyaw, East Yangon. He was one year junior to me.
We were together again in the late 1950s when we were both Assistant Lecturers at B.O.C. Engineering College. During that time he and I together with Saya Num Kock and Saya U Aung Khin went for an excursion to visit Lawpita Hydroelectric Plant construction site near Loikaw, in Kayah State.
While I was living on the R.I.T. campus in the early 1960s he moved to a house just across the street from us.
I will always remember him coming to our house many times in the evenings for a chat with my family.
The last time I saw him was at the 2004 Saya Puzawpwe in Yangon.
He will be sadly missed by many of his friends and students.
May his soul rest in Peace.
Maung Thit (Metallurgy) Melbourne, Australia
From the alumni in Australia
By Ko “Henry” Thet Tun
Our sincere and deepest condolences to Saya U Allen Htay & family for the demise of Saya.
From the RIT Alumni Australia & Myanmar Engineering Association of Australia Inc.
From Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) and Daw Lily (T72)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
We are very much saddened by the departure of Saya Allen Htay. Please convey our heartfelt condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. His good nature and kind demeanor will always live in our memory and that of those who loved him.
While we will all miss Saya Allen very much, I hope all his loved ones can find some slight comfort in knowing that his suffering has ended.
Very Sincerely, Tin Win and Lily.
From Ko Kyaw Thu (Dennis Mackey)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
Without the RIT Alumnu Updates, I would not have known about the passing of our (me and George Peters) final year thesis supervisor Saya U Allen Htay.
Thank you for your regular as well as supplement updates.
Please convey our deepest condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of great loss and sadness.
Best regards, Dennis (Kyaw Thu) (C73) and Alice U
Editor’s Notes: Dennis and Alice have relocated to Canada.
From Saya U Soe Paing and Daw Saw Yu Tint
My friend Allen Htay (GBNF)
Some years ago I wrote an article for the ex-RIT.org about my saya friends at RIT which included Allen Htay.
I met Allen Htay when I joined the 1st Year BSc (Engg) class at the Faculty of Engineering at Leikkhone in 1958 .Ko San Hla Aung was our drawing instructor for the main majors (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), and Allen Htay was the instructor for the rest.
In December1958, I went on State Scholarship to Stanford University. When I returned home after completing my studies, I found myself on the same ship S S Warickshire from Liverpool to Yangon with Allen Htay, Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri Eng) and Ko Ko Lay (UCC). There was also another Myanmar Ko Than Pe, a Chartered Accountant, on the ship. Those days it was customary for the Government to send the returning scholars by ship.
We normally had our meals together seated at the Chief engineer’s table. After dinner we would play bridge to spend the time. Ko Ko Lay partnered with Ko Tin Maung Nyunt and Allen Htay and Ko Than Pe took turns as my partner against them. We played almost every night after dinner and all of us became very good friends.
We got back to Yangon in October 1963. Allen Htay rejoined RIT. I was posted to RIT in January 1964 and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt in March 1964 and so we were together again. When I got married and moved into the RIT staff quarters I was at 16F, Allen Htay at 16E and Ko Tin Maung at 16D. We visited each others house very often. We also became friendly with Allen Htay’s brothers and sisters.
I have attached a photo taken during Thingyan 1966 with Allen Htay (2nd from left) and his youngest brother (extreme right).
I left RIT for UCC and the UN, and Allen Htay and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt went to the United States. All of us met gain in the Bay Area in 1985, 2001 and 2010. I saw Allen Htay at the RIT reunions in 2004 (Yangon), 2007 and 2010 (Singapore).
He could not make it to the 2012 reunion in Yangon because of his health. He was a mild mannered soft spoken gentleman and we will all miss him. May he rest in peace.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (Saya’s Spouse)
“Let me count the ways [to love]” by Elizabeth Browning is a poem present by Ma Ma Mu to Saya Allen.
Donations in Saya Allen’s Memory
In memory of Saya, Daw Mu Mu Kin
donated Saya’s books to YTU Library
provided cabinets for Saya’s books
sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students
Ko Maurice Chee (M75) coordinated the donation of books.
NorCal RITAA and some volunteer alumni from Yangon coordinated the selection of scholarship recipients.
U Win Tin (Left) took me to several games at Aung San Stadium
Burma Athletic Association (BAA) has a stadium to host
Soccer games
Track and Field
(Later) Indoor games
It was renamed Aung San Stadium to honor Bogyoke Aung San.
Games
League Championship (for First Division teams) : The lowest teams are relegated to the Second Division. They are replaced by the Top Finishers of the Second Division.
Dunlop KnockOut Tournament
Inter State and Division (ISD) Tournament : Shan States won the inaugural tournament in 1952. Suk Bahadur was a star player and later became Captain of the Burma Selected. He was also selected as an Asian All Star.
Stands
My uncle U Win Tin (GBNF) would take me to watch soccer matches.
Watched selected matches (e.g. Dunlop Trophy) & some International matches (e.g. 2nd SEAP Games).
The Northern and Southern Stands cost about fifty pyas. Provided limited scope and vision, but have roofs.
Grand Stand costs about five kyats. Rare treat to watch from the Grand Stand (especially near the center line).
The Open Stand opposite the Grand Stand is a compromise for about K1.50. Had to carry umbrella or wear raincoat for matches during the Rainy Season.
Events
It was the main venue for the SEAP Games hosted by Burma in 1961 and 1969.
We had to march with the Marching Band from St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) to the Aung San stadium to perform Drill as part of the “Education Day” Celebrations. Dennis Stevens (brother of my classmate George Stevens) played the Big Drum. Twin brothers Bo Kyi and Bo Kyi were the drummers. Jerry Hin Hwa, Orlando Thein, Win Maung and Bernard Taylor played selected musical instruments.
Badminton
Burma Selected
Sagaing Kyi Nyunt : Burma Champion in Singles and Doubles; Won medals in SEAP and Asian Games
Sai Kham Pan : No. (2) in Singles; Doubles Champion with Kyi Nyunt; Led RIT to Inter-Institute Championship
Kham Pan
RIT Badminton
RIT Badminton
Myint Kyi (GBNF), Bishnu Shahi (GBNF), Khin Maung Nyo, Tommy Shwe (GBNF) represented RIT in Badminton
RIT Team
Saya U Thein Lwin (EE, GBNF) was President of RIT Badminton Association
RIT won the Inter-Institute Trophy. The team was led by Sai Kham Pan.
Kham Pan would bring back shuttle cocks, which were still good but discarded at the Burma Selected Training Camp, for his hostel mates.
Due to tight schedules for some tournaments overseas, Kham Pan had to take books along to study for the examinations. Had excellent foot work and strong wrists. Needed training partners at RIT. Myint Sein (M69) was his partner in training and competition. Khin Maung Win (Sargalay, EP69) was his reliable training partner; he would be given 10+ bonus points for the 15 point game.
Basketball
RIT, RASU & Burma Selected
U Thein Han (RIT Maths, elder brother of Khin Khin Kyu (A67)) was Burma Selected in his student days.
U Soe Win (EP69, GBNF) was Captain of the RIT Basketball team. Tommy (69er, GBNF) was a member of the team.
Lyo Kyin Sein (Mabel Lee, T69) represented RIT in Basketball.
San San Myint (Helen, T69) rooted for the RASU Basketball team & Sam Wu, who played not only for RASU, but also for Black Cat and the Burma Selected. They live in Fremont, California.
Birth of Basketball
Basketball was invented by James Naismith (born in Canada) at YMCA in Massachusetts, USA in 1861.
He later wrote the rules for the game.
Basketball Championships
The Basketball championships include
NCAA Tournament (“March Madness”) : College teams are organized into Four Regions (each with Seeds 1 to 16); The Knock out tournament has First round, Second round, Third round (Sweet sixteen), Quarter finals, Semi finals (Final Four) and Finals.
NBA Post-season (late April to mid June) : Eight teams each from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference are seeded 1 to 8. The tournament consists of First round, Second round (Conference semi-finals), Conference Finals and NBA Finals. Boston Celtics had won the most NBA titles to date. In 2019, Toronto Raptors became the first Canadian team to win the NBA title.
Summer Olympics : 1992 Barcelona Olympics featured the “Dream Team” from US. The team comprised of Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) & Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) as Captains; Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls; Karl Malone & John Stockton of Utah Jazz; Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks); David Robsinson (San Antonio Spurs); Charles Barkley (Philadelphia 76er); Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors); Clyde Drexler (Portland Trailblazers) & Christian Laettner (Duke University). Chuck Daley (Detroit Pistons) was the Head Coach. Mike K (Duke University) was an Assistant Coach.
World Championship.
Players
The five-on-five (with five players on each team) is the most common.
The five players are usually called Point Guard (PG), Shooting Guard (SG), Small Forward (SF), Power Forward (PF) and Center (C).
There are variations such as the “Small Ball Lineup” which substitutes a Center with another Guard or Forward.
Back Court
The Back Court is made up of a Point Guard & a Shooting Guard.
Point Guard handles the ball and usually distributes it to open players. Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Steph Curry are some of the well-known Point Guards who helped their teams win multiple NBA titles.
Shooting Guard is an excellent scorer. Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships (with two 3-repeats). Klay Thompson, “Splash Brother” of Steph Curry, is a Shooting Guard and an excellent defender.
Front Court
The Front Court is made up of a Small Forward, a Power Forward & a Center Forward.
Scottie Pippen, as Small Forward, helped Michael Jordan win six Championships.
Kevin Durant, as Small Forward, helped Golden State Warriors win back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. He won Finals MVP award for both years.
Dennis Rodman, rebounding Champion, was Power Forward on three Chicago Bulls Championship teams. He also won two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons.
Draymond Green, as Power Forward, helped Golden State Warriors win NBA Championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Wilt Chamberlain, famed Center, scored 90+ points in a single game.
Bill Russell (Center, Boston Celtics) won 11 NBA titles as player and coach. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Trophy is named after him.
Techniques
The techniques evolve over the years.
The “Triangle Offense” of the Chicago Bulls gave over to the “Small Line-up” without a “true” center.
3-point shooting from beyond the arc now make or break games.
Some teams play two Centers. Some use three or even four guards at a time.
2025 NBA Finals is being played with two teams, which had not won a Title. Oklahoma City Thunder’s old team was Seattle Supersonics. OKC would not acknowledge the Supersonics Title as its own. Indiana Pacers made to the Finals 25 years ago.
Body Building & Weightlifting
Kaya Bala ကာယဗလ Members
Commander Maung Maung : First Mr. Burma (Maung Bama မောင်ဗမာ)
U Ba Kun (Maung Bama) : became a movie actor
Dr. Kyaw Sein (M65) managed the RIT Weightlifting & Body Building Team.
Thein Aung (Met72) won Mr. RIT in 1968.
Thein Aung
Boxing
Rangoon University Boxing Club
The club was founded (or re-established) by
Myint Khine (Norman, SPHS57, C63)
Tin Wa (SPHS57)
San Aung (Sonny, St. Albert’s 58, formerly SPHS)
Hla Ngwe Tin (Frankie, SPHS59)
and their friends.
Boxing Champions
Myint Khine (Norman, Civil)
Tin Wa (Chemistry)
San Aung (Sonny) — became UBA Senior Pilot
Hla Ngwe Tin (Frankie, Physics Hons)
Myint Thein (RASU Chemistry)
Maung Maung Thaw (RIT Class of 70)
Burma
Kyar Ba Nyein, Thein Myint, Tin Tun and Stanley Majid are some boxers who represented Burma in international competitions (SEAP, Asian Games, Olympics).
“Kyar ကျား” stands for “Tiger” as well as “Checkers”. Per his request, Ludu Daw Ah Mar wrote about Kyar Ba Nyein in her book “Mandalay Thar and Mandalay Thu” but only after Kyar Ba Nyein’s death. Kyar Ba Nyein competed in International competitions and was a certified referee and judge. He founded a club and coached young boxers (which later became champions). He also sponsored Myanmar Let Hway matches.
World
Rocky Marciano is the only undefeated Heavyweight Champion. He inspired Sylvester Stallone to make “Rocky Balboa” movies.
Muhammad Ali won the 1960 Olympics Light Heavyweight title as Cassius Clay Junior. He became “Louisville Lip” for predicting the round in which his opponent will be knocked out. He beat Sonny Liston to become the World Heavyweight Champion. He was stripped off his title for refusing to join the Draft. He was Champion thrice. He had Parkinsonism and ailments attributed to having taken many blows to his head. There are books about “I am the Greatest”. He is known for “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee” and for lighting the Olympic Torch in 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Gymnastics
U Myint Aung Won several Golds in SEAP
Competition
Men : Individual & Team
Women : Individual & Team
Highlights
Men : Japan, China …
Women : Soviet, USA …
Olga Kolbert
Nadia Commenchi
Simon Biles
Hockey
here are two kinds of Hockey :
Field Hockey
Ice Hockey
Field Hockey
In our younger days, TheinbyuGround was used for Field Hockey.
Suk Bahadur (Captain of the Burma Soccer Team) and Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC, Pediatric Surgeon of “Ma Nan Soe – Ma Nan San” fame as Chief Assistant to Dr. Pe Nyun) also excelled at hockey.
Rangoon University and later the All Universities and Institutes had hockey teams.
For some time, India and Pakistan were power houses in hockey. Several nations have overtaken them.
RIT Hockey
According to Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76), he was the last defender of the RIT Hockey team. Ko Thura Thant Zin (RUBC Gold, Past President of BASES, M76) was the goalkeeper.
The photo of some RIT Hockey players in the 70s was provided by KMZ.
Standing L-R: Thein Lwin (EP77-CA/USA), Tin Myint (), Pyo Win (M76), Htay Aung (M76-Aus??), Saya U Tin Hlaing (M), Tin Oo Thein (C7x-Australia), Khin Maung Zaw (EC76-WA/USA), Thein Htun Aung (EC76-CA/USA), ??, Ebrahim Mehta (Met76-NY/USA)
Sitting L-R: Thein Zaw (??), Moe Zaw, Soe Aung (M75-CA/USA), Moosa Mehta (EC73-WA/USA), Win Bo (EC76-TX/USA), Nay Win (EP7?-??), Dudley Moore, Win Aung Nyunt @ Cho Pi (EP76-GBNF)
Ice Hockey
NHL (National Hockey League) is made up of ice hockey teams from US and Canada.
A game is played over three periods of 20 minutes each. A tied game will go into overtime.
At any given time, six players from a team are on the ice. Typically, there is a goalkeeper, two backs, two wings and a center forward. Power plays occur when a player is penalized for a specified period.
The teams vie for Stanley Cup.
Judo
Myint Lwin (Charles) : University, Burma
Tin Maung Aye : University, Burma
Most Champions are from the Army
Rowing
Tin Htoon (S) and Harry Saing (B) won Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta
Tin Htoon (S), Harry Saing (B), Victor Htun Shein (2), Sunny Teng (3) and Sein Htoon (Cox) won Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo
Phyu Lin, Htaik San & younger generation won medals in FEARA
Sailing
Rangoon Sailing Club
The Club was located in Inya Lakes.
Some members represented Burma in SEAP Games.
Some RUBC Old Members also joined the Sailing Club.
Gold medal winners
U Maung Maung Lwin : Commodore of the Sailing Club; former Weightlifting Champion
Dr. Richard Yu Khin : Also excelled in Swimming
Dr. Khin Thein (Victor Thein Maung)
Dr. Tun Thein (George Thein Maung)
Silver medal winners
U Tin Htoon (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC)
U Hla Khin (Navy)
Leading females
Shirley Thein Maung
Rosie Thein Maung
Editor’s Notes :
Dr. Richard Yu Khin (GBNF) has two Facebook pages. One is exclusively for Sailing.
Soccer
Introduction
Shwe Yoe (Scott, author and teacher) introduced soccer to Diocesan Boys High School.
Some not so young people abroad remember “U Thant (UN Secretary General), and the once “Soccer Power House in South East Asia (and beyond)” when they hear the name “Burma”. Burma won the Asian Games soccer.
Outstanding Footballers
Suk Bahadhur (Asian Selected) : Forward turned Midfielder; Played for Shan States, Army and Burma
MaungMaung (Asian Selected) : Midfielder
Khin Maung Tun (Asian Selected) : Goalkeeper
Tin Aung (Asian Selected) : Goalkeeper
Auro (Customs)
Aung Khin (RU)
Aye Maung (BAF)
Aye Maung (PWD)
Ba Pu (Mandalay)
Chan Tha (RU)
Collegian Nay Win (RU)
Gale (Railways)
Gwan Shein (Army)
Hla Htay (Irrawaddy, Customs)
Hla Tin (Kee)
Htoo War
John Tint (RIT)
Kenneth Shein (RU, Railways)
Ko Ko Gyi (Tenessaarim, Customs)
Kyaw Htin (RIT, PWD)
Kyaw Min (Navy)
Maung Maung (RU)
Pe Khin
Soe Myint (RU)
Soe Myint Lwin (RIT, EPC)
Than Soe (Suttee, Municipal)
Tin Aung Moe
Tin Han (Railways)
Toe Aung (Dio)
Tun Kyi (RU, Railways)
Tun Wain (Tenessarim, Customs)
Vernon Stiles (Tin Tun, Army)
First Division
The First Division matches are played at Aung San Stadium. The teams include Rangoon University, Burma Railways, Customs, Army, Navy and several others. The bottom teams in the League get relegated to Second Division the following year.
Inter State and Division
The Inter State and Division (ISD) Soccer tournament was established in 1952. Shan States with Suk Bahadhur won the inaugural tournament.
Mandalay (with Ba Pu), Tennessarim (with Ko Ko Gyi), Irrawaddy (with Hla Htay) became Contenders and/or Champions. Many players were recruited by the First Division teams and some became Burma Selected.
RU Soccer
For several years, Rangoon University First Eleven competed as a First Division team at the Aung San Stadium.
Saya Nyein (Diocesan Alumni) was RU Coach. He gave an interview to the BERB team for the Diamond Julibee of Rangoon University.
Than Win (Captain of RU football) studied in the US and served as a Director of SPED (Sports and Physical Education Department) or equivalent. His spouse retired as Professor of Botany Department, RU.
Some early players include
Chan Tha : Engineer, Past Captain of RUBC & Captain of the Prome Hall team [mostly engineers]
Tun Kyi (Engineer)
Nay Win, Collegian (Academy winner)
Kenneth Shein : Father of Pale / Pearl
Tint Lwin
U Chan Tha’s team won the Inter-Hall Soccer Trophy for three consecutive years. U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) was a star player.
RIT soccer
U Myo Myint Sein (A58) was a well-known soccer player.
Kyaw Sint (Edward, T70) was among the preliminary members for Burma Selected, when his career was cut short by a “vicious tackle” by Tin Han.
Kyaw Htin (C67), Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, GBNF), John Tint, and James Tint played for [youth and/or senior] National Soccer Teams.
Khin Maung Lay (T68), Myo Nyunt (C69), Myint Sein (Jabu), pKhin Maung Lay (Mutu, M70), and Sai Thein Maung (C70) are some who represented RIT in soccer.
Maung Maung (Burma) was RIT Sports Officer.
RIT Saya Soccer Team
by Saya U Soe Paing
Reading about the communications from Richard Khoo (Dr. Aung Soe, C61) and seeing the list of Sayas in the 1966-67 handbook brings back memories of our soccer team.
As I remember it was from 1964 to 1968 or 1969. We played against
the senior students of different majors Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc.
the sayas at GTI and Natmauk Technical Institute
the Burma Air Force officers.
We also played in the annual tournament for RIT Staff. The staff teams are
the Sayas
Workshop staff
Lab staff
Hostel staff and
the youth team from the RIT compound.
As I remember these were the people in the team.
1. Goalkeepers: Richard Khoo (Civil), Maurice Kyaw Zaw (Chemistry), & Sein Myint/Ah Sein (Petroleum)
2. Defenders: Ko Maung Maung Than (Textile), Ko Aung Soe (Math), Ko Aung Hla Tun (Met), Ko Sann Tint (Elect), Christopher Maung (Civil), U Tin Swe (Elect), Ko Tin Win (Mech).
3. Midfielders: Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri), Desmond Rogers (English), Ko Khine Oo (Elect), Ko Maung Maung Win (Mech), Ko Tin Hlaing II (Mech).
4. Forwards: Ko Pike Htwe (Chemistry), Ko Aung (Math), Ko Tin Hlaing I (Agri), Ko Soe Min (Elect), Ko Kyin Soe (Auto) & myself (Elect).
We rarely practiced but we enjoyed playing the games. We split games with the GTI sayas & the Air Force officers. We beat the Natmauk sayas and we won more than we lost in the RIT staff tournament. But I am sure we lost more than we won against the final year students. Would appreciate comments on this; especially on the names I missed in the team.
Soccer Tournaments
Many people in Myanmar follow the World Cup, Premium League, European Cup … in addition to the soccer tournaments (Asian Games, SEA Games, …) in which Myanmar compete.
Swimming
Burma Selected Swimmers / Divers
Aung Khine Cho (Attended UCC)
Aung Than (Freestyle)
Aye Kyaw (Joined Navy)
Chit Soe (became Diplomat)
Derek Lynsdale (Backstroke)
Htay Aung (Swimming, Water Polo)
Maung Kyi (Breaststroke)
Mya Thee (Free style; became Coach)
Nanda Kyaw Zwar (Butterfly)
Nyunt Soe (became Coach)
Oscar Thwin
Philip Smythe (Diving; Moved to Australia)
Richard Yu Khin (excelled in Yachting)
Thet Win (Diving; Became Sports Officer)
Tin Maung Ni (SEAP & Asian Games Gold Medalist; Competed in Olympics)
Willie Huie (Breaststoke)
William Smythe (Diving; Moved to Australia)
Elizabeth Smythe
Marlar Swe
Mary Soe
Polly Ba San
Sally Soe
Sylvia Thwin
Dr. Richard Yu Khin wrote :
I was on the swim team with Tin Maung Ni who is a gentleman. Ten of us were trained by Mr. Matsuda who was on the Japanese national swim team. Mr. Matsuda was manager of a Japanese company in Rangoon. He made us swim six 50 metres sprints, with one minute interval. The time difference for the 1st and 6th sprints — the decline curve should be limited. This was the first time we had scientific training in swimming. Tin Maung Ni was the only Asian, other than Japanese, to win a gold medal in swimming at the Asian Games. The US Embassy provided a goodwill tour of USA for Tin Maung Ni. He is from the Kachin State.
Dr. Richard Yu Khin wrote :
Swimmers trained by Mr. Matsuda in 1959 include Derek Lynsdale (backstroke), Aye Kyaw (Hla Yee Yee’s cousin) and Willie Huie (breast-stroke). A few years ago saw photo of Thet Win at Kokine Swimming Club, and Aung Than who is working as swim coach in Bangkok. Derek Lynsdale’s mother was a Lecturer at Rangoon University who moved to a university in East Africa subsequent to military coup in 1962. Aye Kyaw was Tin Maung Ni’s deputy in the Burma Navy.
Ba Than Nyunt wrote :
(U) Tin Maung Ni won Gold medals not only in SEAP games but also in two successive Asian Games. If my recall is right, he is from Bhan Maw, Kachin State.
Table Tennis
Terms
Table Tennis is also known as “Ping Pong”.
The term “Ping Pong Diplomacy” is used for jump starting the “strained relations” between China and US. The friendly Ping Pong matches preceded the diplomatic talks.
Saya Mao Toon Siong
Saya Mao
Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62) was Burma Champion in both Singles and Doubles.
Competed in the Table Table World Championship held in Beijing in 1961.
Served as Coach of the Burma National Team.
Managed the RIT Table Tennis teams, which won the Inter-Institute Trophy. The Inter-Institute Trophy winners include U Maung Maung (67, Sin Gyi, good Chess player), U Win Myint (EE67), and U Stanislau Lou (M67, see photo).
Taught us Thermodynamics.
Attended SPZP-2016 in Yangon, and also paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than. Saya U Tin Htut, Saya U Tin Win (Bago) … also visited Sayagyi that day. Saya said that he would send me a “good” copy of the group photo.
After moving to the US, Saya continued playing Table Tennis.
Ba Wai
Champion in the next generation
Stan Liou
Stan was a member of the Inter-Institute Trophy winning team.
Founding member of NorCal RITAA and served as Chair, BOD (Board of Directors).
Changes
Changes in the equipment (e.g. size of bat, texture [using pimples]) and the rules.
In the early days, most players used the “handshake” grip. Later, players used the “pen holder” grip.
There used to be games of 21 points.The winner is decided over the best of three (or five).
In recent tournaments, the game is shorted to 11 (or so) points. The winner is decided over the best of seven.
Stan Liou
Tennis
Tennis Court
Tennis courts are provided by RU, RIT & Organizations (e.g. at Theinbyu Court).
Some homes have Tennis Courts and often produce good Tennis players at the University and National level.
Outstanding Tennis Players
Joe Ba Maung : National Champion in Singles; National Champion in Mens’s Doubles with Than Lwin; National Champion in Mixed Doubles with Ruby Kha; Taught English at RIT; Transferred to Railways & oversaw the Burma Railways Sports programs
Than Lwin : Succeeded Joe Ba Maung as National Champion
Tin Si & Khin Si
Pe Than Maung
Thein Tun (Robert)
Biak Cin
Maung Maung Lay (Ah Pu Lay)
Than Htut
Aung Htay
Khin Maung Aye
Tin Aung Cho
Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Doke)
Joy Hla Pe
Jacqueline Tun Shwe
Daw Ruby Kha (Mixed Doubles)
RIT Tennis
RIT Tennis
Kyaw Sint (E Tai, T70, GBNF) National Junior Champion in high school. University First Eleven in soccer.
Soe Tha (EC67)
Tun Kyi (M67, GBNF)
Kyaw Nyunt (M69, GBNF)
James Than (70)
Htin Myaing (A66)
Several sayas (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Tin Hlaing, U Tu Myint) played Tennis.
International
The US Tennis Federation sent some players (Stan Smith, Bob Lutz) to Burma to hold Tennis Clinics and Exhibition Matches (with selected Burmese Tennis stars).
Rod Laver (“Rocket”) won two “True” Grand Slams: First time as an Amateur Second time as a Professiona Won all four Grand Slam Tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) in the same Calendar year.
Some (e.g. Andre Agassi) won Career Grand Slam.Won the four Tournaments at different times in their career, but not in the same Calendar year.
Pete Sampras has many Wimbledon titles (played on the Grass Court). He has more Grand Slam titles than Andre Agassi, but he never won the French Open (played on the Clay Court).
Novak Djokovic currently holds the World Record for the most Grand Slam titles. He beat the records set by Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal.
“Who is the Greatest Of All Times (GOAT)?” varies with the sports writers and players spanning several generations.
Thaing
It is a generic name for Burmese/Myanmar Martial Arts.
It comprises of
Bando (unarmed combat Thaing)
Banshay (armed combat Thaing).
There are various schools of Thaing.
One famous school was started by Saya U Pyi Thein. He is familiar with the other martial arts. He translated/adapted a book on selected martial arts around the world. An unconventional one is called “Naga Ngway Thaing” where the practitioner “emits” a “horrible” smell that can knock out people.
U Chit Than succeeded U Pyi Thein as head of their Thaing movement.
Some Thaing sayas are experts in other disciplines.
U Po Kyaw Myint was a University Lecturer in Burmese. His pen name is Myan Sar Gon Kyaw Myint.
U Mya Thein is a lawyer. He also starred in the movie “Thadin Kyut Tat Myee” along side Jolly Swe.
U San Maung taught Academy Nyunt Win for “Bando Lugalay Hnit Thuzar”. He also performed stunt in several movies.
U Min Din was a high school Luyechun. He volunteered for the Thaing demos at YTU and other schools.
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) served as President of the RIT Thaing Association. Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) served as Joint Secretary.
There is also a school called “Thaing Byaung Byan” (literally meaning “Reverse Thaing”).
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63) wrote :
Had a chance to treat “Thaing Byaung Byan” U Maung Lay in Wards 19&20, Yangon Hospital, in the 1970s. Can’t recall his illness. His school of martial arts handle and weapons (e.g., sticks, spears, etc.) in an eccentric manner (i.e., not in a balanced manner, holding one side longer than the other), and by so doing, confuses the usual martial arts fighters.
Track and Field
Once upon a time, Burma was known as a power house of athletics in SEAP games.
Burma placed first in the 2nd SEAP Games held in December 1961 at Rangoon, Burma.
Burma also dominated in the 1969 SEAP Games.
Some competed in the Asian Games and in the Olympics.
Male Track and Field stars
1969 SEAP Games
Kyaw Mra and Kyaw Khin (Hurdles)
Soe Mra and Maung Maung Mra (Pole vault)
Myee Tun Naw : Burma & SEAP Champion for Marathon
Shin Bwe Gan : Burma & SEAP Champion for 5000 and 10000 meters; Runner up in the early Marathons, and eventually ended as a Champion
Jimmy Crampton (SPHS) : Burma & SEAP Champion for 800 m & 1500 m
Soe Win : Won 100m and anchored 4 x 100m relay in 2nd SEAP Games
Sai Thein Maung (RIT) : Sprint (RIT, Inter-Institute)
Female Track and Field stars
Gracie Carr (100m & long jump)
Tin Pu
Khin Htay
Jennifer Tin Lay (Javelin and shot put)
Than Than
Weik Pan (Marathon)
Inter-school Tournaments
In the early days, there were T&F competitions as part of the Annual Sports (e.g. in SPHS), Inter-school Tournaments and Inter-Institute Tournaments. Some (e.g. Jimmy Crampton) went on to shine as Burma Selected. A few (e.g. Kyaw Mra, Kyaw Khin) later chose to become National Coach.
It is sad to learn that many students would not (or could not) give some time to train and excel in sports in addition to being good in their studies.
KMZ wrote :
Jimmy Crampton is an OP, Old Paulian. If my memory serves me one of his running partners was non other than our own Dr. Rafiul Ahad, ex-UCC.
Rafiul was chosen for the preliminary team for Burma. He placed third in the hurdles. His coach was Kyaw Khin (Old Paulian, and Burma Champion in hurdles and 1500m).
Volleyball
Kyaw Nyunt, Tin Maung Swe, Kyaw Han, Than Soe, Tha Din, Ohn Shein : Burma Selected
Ko Aye, Shwe Kyaw : RU & BIT
Orson, Edison, Khin Kyaw Nyein : RIT
Aye Thein, Maung Maung, Myint Maung : RIT EE
Weightlifting
U Zaw Weik : Competed in the Olympics; Co-founded Burma Olympic Committee
U Aung Gyi : World Record in Snatch for Flyweight Division in the early 1970s; Competed in World Championship & Munich Olympics
Dr. Kyaw Sein, Khin Win, Jimmy Kyin, Thein Aung, Ohn Khin : RIT Weightlifting and Body Building
Yachting
U Maung Maung Lwin (SEAP Gold)
Dr. Richard Yu Khin (SEAP Gold)
Dr. Khin Thein / Victor (SEAP Gold)
Dr. Tun Thein / George (SEAP Gold)
Htoo Aung Gyi (SEAP Gold)
U Tin Htoon (SEAP Silver)
U Hla Khin (SEAP Silver)
Dr. Shirley Thein Maung (Burma)
Dr. Rosie Thein Maung (Burma)
All-round Athlete
Memories of Ko Aung Khin
by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
Ko Aung Khin was in his second half of his 5th year class (either Mech or Agri, not sure) when we entered RIT in Nov 1964. One good thing about Hostel life in those days is, your dining table mates were selected for you at random.
I was blessed to be at the same dining table with Ko Aung Khin in the May ‘ 65 semester, when he was starting his final year and I got to know him. Ko Aung Khin played on the RIT B soccer team that year, and in the basketball finals against A&S, at the RC center, we cheered for him.
Again in Nov ’65, I remember cheering him play on the RIT volleyball team against A& S.
Best of all, I was among the few RIT fans sitting in front of the high jump pit at the Universities Sports day January 1966, and we cheered as he out jumped Mg Mg Mra of A & S to take the gold.
Years late, 1975, I saw him again when I went to the tractor repair shop at 9th mile for help in repairing our tractors in our factory. He was the second in command at that place then. Last time I saw him was at the bus stop in Kamayut late 1975. I was rushing to get on the No 8 bus and I heard ” Pyai Pyai Pou “. Turned around and there he was, standing and smiling at me.
I really like to know where Ko Aung Khin is now. Maybe Emma Myint may know. She and Tin May Soe were among the RIT girls taught how to play volleyball by Ko Aung Khin back in 1964/65.
Editor’s Notes :
During our RIT days, Saya U Maung Maung Than (Tex) was Chair of the RIT Sports Council.
RIT Selected were awarded certificates.
I received a certificate for representing RIT in Rowing.
I remember Ko Aung Khin receiving five (or more) certificates. He represented RIT in Track and Field, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and hiking.
Sports & Studies
In the early days, there were several people who were excellent in their studies and in their hobby sports.
For example, Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, Pediatric Surgeon, GBNF) served as Captain of RUBC. He won with U Tin Htoon (A60) the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs in 1958 ARAE (Amateur Rowing Association of the East) Regatta in Calcutta. He won with U Victor Htun Shein, U Sunny Teng, U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Sein Htoon (M63) the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo. He was Burma Selected in Hockey and Cricket, and represented the Faculty of Medicine in T&F and soccer. He assisted Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick San Pe, Pediatric Surgeon, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) for the first ever operation in Burma to separate conjoined twins (Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San). He later taught at the University of Hong Kong, and also served as Patron for the Hong Kong Rowing Club. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered in the waters near the Hong Kong Rowing Club.
Even in our days, there were several people who were good in sports and studies. Htay Aung (M69), Sai Kham Pan (EP69), Wunna Sithu (EC71), and Victor Aung Myin (M72) are some examples.
Class of 69
Aung Gyi Shwe & Khin Than Myint Tin competed in Track and Field.
Soe Win was Captain of RIT Basketball. Han Sein & Tommy are team members.
Sai Kham Pan was Burma Selected in Badminton. He also led the RIT team to Inter-Institute Championship. Myint Sein & Bishnu are team members.
Htay Aung was Burma Selected in Water Polo. He also led the RIT Swimming & Water Polo teams. Sein Myint, Jimmy Kyin, Win Maung, Hla Kyaing, Swan Kong & Han Sein are team members.
Class of 70
The Class of 70 was represented in RIT and/or Inter-Institute by the following :
Source : Ohn Khine (M70) and Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
Sai Thein Maung (100m, Triple Jump, RIT Goalkeeper, organizer of Intake of 64 & 65)
Shein Kee Gae GBNF Track & Field (Long Distance runner)
Saw Mg Mg Htwe Track & Field (still running long distance races)
Oo Myint (Mn) Track & Field
Win Naing Track & Field
Lei Lei Chit (Ch) Track & Field
Nan Khaming (A) Track & Field
Maung Maung Thaw (E) Track & Field, and Boxing
RIT Sports Stars
Aung Khin (M66) is a multiple-sports athlete. He won the Inter-Institute High Jump by beating the Burma selected from RASU. He also represented RIT in soccer, volley ball, basketball and hiking.
Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68) and Victor Aung Myin (M72) are also star athletes.
Sports Coverage
Before the advent of TV and the Internet, one has to follow sports via radio and newspapers.
Won a ticket from my “Morals and Manners” class teacher to see 1960 Rome Olympics Documentary at Thamada (President) Cinema. Armin Harry (Germany) won the 100m and 200m. Rafer Johnson (US) won the Decathlon. Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia) won the Marathon while running bare foot. He would successfully defend his title in 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
I was able to watch the 1972 Munich Olympics on a color TV.
Fast forward. … Usain Bolt retired as the “fastest man”.
Hope we will see well-rounded student athletes in Myanmar again.
Aung Win (C87) wrote :
Jennifer Tin Lay is still working as sport instructor in International School Myanmar near my home. Teachers of Myanmar (mostly female teachers) cannot guide students to do sports activities. Hardly expect again for well-rounded student athletes.No block selected.
Olympics
Origin
Modern Olympics was a revival of the ancient games held every four years at Olympia.
The four year interval is called an Olympiad. The ancient Greeks use Olympiad instead of years when describing dates.
Pierre de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
IOC selects a city or cities to hold the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The two Olympics are interlaced.
There were no Olympics in 1940 and 1944. Berlin Olympics was held in 1936. London Olympics was held in 1948.
2020 Olympics scheduled for Tokyo was postponed to July 2021 due to COVID-19.
2024 Olympics was held in Rio de Janerio.
2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles
Drama in the Olympics
Summer Olympics has its share of drama.
Berlin Olympics (1936)
The 1936 Summer Olympics was held in Berlin and was attended by Adolf Hitler (who promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race). Jesse Owens, a black athlete from the USA, won four Gold medals : 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay, and Long Jump.
The drama occurred in the Long Jump event. Jesse Owens was having some problems in the Long Jump when the German competitor Lang advised him to leave about six inches gap behind the broad to prevent overstepping and getting disqualified. Jesse took the advice, regained his poise and went on to win the Long Jump Gold. It was a mark of true sportsmanship.
Note : Jesse Owens later “took back” the story. Since there was not much media coverage, there is no proof or disproof.
Munich Olympics (1972)
Mark Spitz (USA) won seven Gold medals in record time in swimming : 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, 4 x 200m Freestyle relay, and 4 x 100 Medley relay. Saved energy by skipping the trials of selected relay events.
Olga Kolburt (USSR) was awarded a couple of Perfect Ten in Gymnastics.
Eleven Israeli athletes were kidnapped (shown live on TV) and murdered by Black September. Mossad took several years to track down & decimate Black September.
Boycotts
USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.
USSR retaliated with a boycott of the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.
Olympians
Some Olympians went on to have illustrious careers.
Johnny Weissmuller, swimming champion, gained fame as Tarzan in the movies.
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, went on to become Mohammad Ali, three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Media Coverage
During my SPHS days, there was no television in Burma.
I received a ticket from Brother Austin as a prize to see the “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema.
I was in the UK and was fortunate to see the 1972 Munich Olympics on a Color television.
RU Sports
Sports Council
Rangoon University used to have a Sports Council. It awards Varsity Blue and Half Blue to the selected athletes.
In our days, U Maung Maung Than (T, GBNF) chaired the RIT Sports Committee. Certificates were presented to the RIT sportsmen and sportswomen at the Annual gathering.
RIT Sports
Sports Committee
Chaired by U Maung Maung Than (Tex, GBNF); Later became Rector of YTU
Committee would organize an Annual Dinner where Certificates were awarded to the students who had represented RIT in the various sports.
Received a certificate for Rowing.
Ko Aung Khin (M66) received six certificates.
Inter-Institute Championships
Over the years, RIT won several Inter-Institute Championships. They include
Badminton
Chinlon
Rowing
Soccer
Swimming and Water Polo
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field (Cross Country)
Weight lifting & Body building
News and photos are covered in several of my posts.
World Cup
Started as a challenge between selected European soccer clubs and South American soccer clubs.
Several boycotts in the early years.
Number of entries for World Cup was expanded initially to 16 teams, and later 24 and 32 teams.
There will be 48 teams on or before 2026 World Cup to ensure a larger participation from all continents.
Jules Rimet Trophy
The trophy (named after the founding President) was won outright by Brazil, after winning the World Cup three times in
Sweden (1958) with a youngster named Pele
Chile (1962) with Garrincha — born with deformed feet — joining Pele
Mexico (1970) with Pele as the Best Player
FIFA World Cup Trophy
Trophy which succeeded the Jules Rimet Trophy is handed over to the winner during the presentation. Winner only takes home a replica.
Brazil won the Trophy twice, making it the only nation with five World Cup Titles.
Germany is second with four titles, but got knocked off in World Cup 2018.
Won the World Cup as a player and as a manager
Mario Zagallo (Brazil) : 1958 and 1962 as a player, 1970 as Manager
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) : 1974 as Captain, 1990 as Manager
Didier Deschamps (France) : 1998 as Captain, 2018 as Manager
Youngest Teenager to score in a Final
Pele (Brazil, 1958) is the youngest teenager to score in a World Cup Final. He was 17 years old.
Youngest Team to win World Cup
Brazil (1970) is the youngest team to win the World Cup
World Cup 2018
France (2018) is the second youngest team to win the World Cup. Mbappe (France, 2018) is the second youngest teenager to score in a World Cup Final. He was 19 years old.
50 players in World Cup 2018 were born or raised in France.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was employed in World Cup 2018.
Team Sports
Soccer is a team sports
Many star players fail to win the World Cup. Puskas (Hungary, 1954) Johan Kruff (Netherlands, 1970) Ronaldo (Portugal) has not won yet
Transformation
Soccer has transformed from a highly offensive game — with Just Fontaine (France) scoring 13 goals to win the Golden Boot — to a mostly defensive game albeit with smart counter-attack game. Henry Kane scored 6 goals in 2018 World Cup. His closest challengers scored 4 goals, and the number of assists was used for the tie-breaker.
In our younger days, most soccer teams used 2-3-5 (two backs, three mid-fielders & five forwards). Then came 3-4-3, 4-2-4, 4-3-3, 4-3-2-1 (with lone striker) and 5-3-2.
Viewing games
We once tried to join a crowd on or near the German Embassy compound showing a movie of the then World Cup match. It is now common to join “watch parties” for interesting matches if one does not want to see on the smart devices and the large screen TVs alone.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, UCC) wrote :
In many sports, the street smart is one of ingredients if you will in addition to the skills and talent, practice and experience to become a successful.
There was an interesting article on the current crops of successful young footballers coming out of Paris suburbs. Many of these suburbs are economically challenge, inhabited by immigrants especially from African nations. Quite a few of these players could not even find their place in the French National Team and ended up playing for one of their parents’ nations.
It is also interested to note that as the many European countries transformed from somewhat monolithic to multi-culture societies their National teams started to reflect this trend.
The Burmese Calendar is a luni-solar-socio-religious calendar.
The Burmese New Year falls on or around April 16. The three (or sometimes four) days preceding the New Year is celebrated as Thingyan (similar to Songkran festival in Thailand).
It is a lunar calendar with 12 lunar months in most years. An intercalary month called “Second Waso” is added every three years. There are 12 religious and/or social festivals (one for each Burmese month).
Most religious festivals are celebrated on the Full Moon Day.
The following is a brief description of the 12 Burmese months and the associated festivals.
1. Month of Tagu
Name of the auspicious event: Ushering in the Burmese New Year by the Buddhists
Associated festival: A Ta Thingyan Water Festival (generally held from April 13 – 15 or 16)
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite guests for special treat. (b) Take eight precepts and practice Sila (morality). (c) Listen attentively to the “38 Blessings” by the sangha. (d) Chant Paritta (protective verses) and Pathana (“relations”) (e) Pay homage to the elderly people as if they were one’s own parents (f) All the above are performed (by the Burmese Buddhist) to accumulate kusala (wholesome deeds) (g) Most younger people usher in the Burmese New Year by throwing water (h) Thingyan festival is the most prominent among the 12 (monthly) festivals.
Objectives: To cleanse akusala (unwholesome deeds) from the past year (a) symbolically by throwing water (b) practically by performing meritorious deeds such as dana (charity), sila (mrality), and bhavana (meditation)
2. Full Moon Day of Kason
Name of the auspicious event: Buddha’s Day. It is the most prominent day for the (Theravada) Buddhists celebrating four milestones (a) the proclamation that the Bodhisatta Sumeda would become Buddha in four incalculables and 100,000 worlds (b) birth of the Boddhisatta Sidartha (c) enlightenment of Gautama Buddha (d) Mahaparinibbna (final passing away of Buddha)
Associated festival: Kason Nyaung Ye Thun Pwe (pouring water on the Bodhi tree)
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite guests for special treat. (b) Invite sangha and offer requisites (c) Take (five or eight) precepts and practice Sila (morality) (d) Listen to the dhamma talks (e) Practice metta (loving kindness meditation) (f) Share merits (g) Pour water on the Bodhi tree
Objectives: (a) To acknowledge the practice of parami (perfection) for four incalculables in order to become a Buddha (b) To realize that Buddha’s teachings are for our own good (c) To make a determination that we should practice Buddha’s teachings to the fullest extent
3. Full Moon Day of Nayone
Name of the auspicious event: Mahasamaya (“Great Occasion”) A Kha Daw Nay (a) Commemorating truce between Kapilavutta and Koliya countries (b) Assembly of devas, brahmas, galons, nagas, and sanghas expressing their metta (unbounded love) (c) Ordination of 500 princes from the Sakya clan (d) In sum, distinguished and outstanding day of love and peace
Associated festival: Recitation of Mahasamaya Sutta
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite guests for special treat. (b) Invite sangha and offer requisites (c) Take (five or eight) precepts and practice Sila (morality) (d) Listen to the dhamma talks (e) Recite Mahasamaya Sutta (f) Practice metta (loving kindness meditation) (g) Share merits
Objectives: (a) To advocate love and peace among nations with diverse cultures and beliefs (b) To practice metta (unbounded love) not only for humans but for all beings
4. Month of Waso
Name of the auspicious event: (a) Offering of Waso robes (b) Recitation of Dhammacakkapavutna Sutta (“Turning the Wheel of Dhamma”)
Associated festival: There is no specific date for the offering of Waso robes to the sangha. Full Moon Day of Waso is a prominent day for (Theravada) Buddhists celebrating three milestones (a) the day when Boddhisatta was conceived in the womb of Queen Mahamaya (b) the day when Prince Sidharta renounced his worldly pleasures (c) the day when the First Sermon Dhammacakkapavutna Sutta was delivered to his five disciples
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite guests for special treat. (b) Invite sangha and offer requisites (c) Take (five or eight) precepts and practice Sila (morality) (d) Listen to the dhamma talks about Magga (Noble Eight-fold Path) (e) Collectively recite Dhammacakkapavutna Sutta (f) Practice metta (loving kindness meditation) (g) Share merits
Objectives: (a) To avoid the two extremes of sensual pleasure and self-mortification (b) To practice the Noble Eight-fold Path
5. Full Moon Day of Wa Khaung
Name of the auspicious event: Metta (“Unbounded Love”) A Kha Daw Nay 500 monks who were practicing meditation in the forest were intimidated by nats (guardian spirits) and returned to Buddha’s monastery. Buddha preached them Metta Sutta and exhorted them to practice loving kindness meditation to the nats before meditating. The monks returned to the forest and practiced per Buddha’s exhortation. The nats no longer obstructed the practice of the monks, thereby allowing them to progress and get enlightened. Thus, Metta A Kha Daw Nay came into being.
Associated festival: Recitation of Metta Sutta & Sar Ye Tan Mei (deciding the donation to a monk based on a “raffle” [letter written on a stick, in ancient times]
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite guests for special treat. (b) Invite sangha and offer requisites (c) Take (five or eight) precepts and practice Sila (morality) (d) Collectively recite Metta Sutta (e) Offer requisites to the monks based on the Sar Ye Tan Mei “raffle” (f) Dhamma talk on metta and the virtues of practicing metta (g) Share merits
Objectives: To practice metta (unbounded love), karuna (compassion), mudita (altruistic joy), & uppekha (equinamity)
6. Full Moon Day of Tawthalin
Name of the auspicious event: Garudhamma (“Five precepts”) A Kha Daw Nay A brief history is as follows. Bodhisatta was (once) born in Kuru Taing (province), where the king and his people practiced Garudhamma. They refrain from (a) killing (b) stealing (c) sexual misconduct (d) lying (e) taking intoxicants. So, the weather was fine and wealth was amassed. Kawlinga Taing (province) suffered from (a) war (b) famine (c) disease. Many perished. The king and people of Kawlinga Taing decided to emulate the king and people of Kuru Taing. Soon, the weather became fine and wealth was amassed. The three sufferings disappeared. The Full Moon Day of Tawthalin, which is part of the rainy season, was named Garudhamma (“Five precepts”) A Kha Daw Nay.
Associated festival: Competition for reciting poems about the merits of taking five precepts.
Details for the celebration: Host competitions for reciting poems about the merits of taking five precepts.
Objectives: (a) To make people aware of the merits of taking five precepts (b) To have a peaceful community (c) To promote world peace
7. Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut
Phaungdaw-u Festival
Name of the auspicious event: Abhidhamma (“Ultimate Reality”) A Kha Daw Nay & Mahapavayana Nay Buddha taught Abhidhamma to the devas in Savateinsa (during the Buddhist Lent) and returned to earth on the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut
Associated festival (1): Festival of Light
Details for the celebration: (a) Light candles (b) Light incandescent bulbs Objectives: Emulate the scene where the devas and the people paid homage with candles and lights to the Buddha upon his return from Savateinsa
Associated festival (2): Pavayana Pwe
Details for the celebration: (a) Monks assemble in a sima hall (b) Each monk invites other monks to give advice. He says, “If you have seen me commit a misdeed, you may reprimand me. If you hear that I have committed a misdeed, you may reprimand me. If you doubt me, you may reprimand me. I will try not to commit that misdeed in the future.” (c) Lay people might also invite their fellow people to give advice.
Objectives: (a) To practice Nivata Mangala — blessing where one displays humility (b) For monks to practice Sovacasatta Mangala — blessing where one takes constructive critism (c) For lay people to become good & wise people
8. Full Moon Day of Tazaungdaing
Name of the auspicious event: Samyannaphala (“Virtues of monkhood”) A Kha Daw Nay Buddha gave the sermon to King Ajjasathat on the Full Moon Day of Tazaungdaing
Associated festival: Tazaungdaing Festival
Details for the celebration: (a) Light candles (b) Take (eight) precepts and practice Sila (morality) (c) Dhamma talks based on Samyannaphala Sutta (d) Practice metta (loving kindness meditation) (e) Share merits
Objectives: (a) Make people aware of the virtues of monkhood and the qualities of sangha (b) If one has conducted misdeeds like King Ajjasathat, one should acknowledge the fact, but be determined to be good by doing meritorious deeds.
9. Full Moon Day of Nadaw
Name of the auspicious event: Dhamma Sarsodaw Myar Nay In Burmese History, Full Moon Day of Nadaw honors the literary giants (writers, poets). In modern days, the Department of Religious Affairs designated the day to honor writers for the dissemination of dhamma
Associated festival: Sar Pyan Pwe (Oral and written examination for the monks)
Details for the celebration: (a) Hold religious examinations (b) Written examination about Tipitaka (“Three Baskets”) : Vinaya (Monastic rules of conduct), Sutta (Discourses), Abhidhamma (Ultimate Reality) (c) Oral examination about Tipitaka (d) Lay people may visit libraries and borrow religious books (e) Lay people may hold discussions about dhamma
Objectives: (a) Preservation and propagation of Tipitaka (b) Encourage youths to be highly literate and have good moral character
10. Month of Pyatho
Name of the auspicious event: Shin Ta Htaung (1000 ascetics) A Kha Daw Nay During Buddha’s time, 1000 ascetics in Uruvela forest led by the Kassappa brothers renounced their wrong beliefs and become arahants.
Associated festival: Ordination of monks and novices
Details for the celebration: (a) Hold ceremonies for higher ordination of monks (b) Allow youths to become novices
Objectives: (a) To reinforce the importance of practicing morality (b) To familiarize people with religious ceremonies & the performing of meritorious deeds
11. Full Moon Day of Tabodwe
Name of the auspicious event: Ovada Patimauk (Buddha’s exhortation to avoid akusala, to perform kusala, and to purify one’s mind) A Kha Daw Nay
The Full Moon Day of Tabodwe is significant for several reasons. (a) Venerable Sariputta became an arahant (b) Both Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Mogallana were proclaimed by Buddha as the Best in their specialties (c) Without any explicit notice, Ehi Bhikkhu Calabinna Patisambidapatta arahants (elite monks who do not need explicit ordination, who possess six divine powers, and who easily became enlightened) convened for the Ovada Patimauk ceremony.
Associated festival: Ovadaha Partimauk & Htamane Pwe (Sticky rice) festival
Details for the celebration: (a) Collectively prepare Htamane (b) Offer htamane to monks and devotees (c) Listen to dhamma talks
Objectives: (a) Emphasize the strength of unity (b) Perform meritorious deeds collectively (c) Understand Buddha’s exhortation to avoid akusala, to perform kusala, and to purify one’s mind & practice accordingly
12. Full Moon Day of Tabaung
Name of the auspicious event: Myat Buddha Pyi Daw Win A Kha Daw Nay At the request of his father’s emissary Kaludayi, Buddha accompanied by 20000 arahants returned to Kapilavutta from Rajagaha. The return trip commenced on the 1st waning day of Tabaung in year 103 of Mahatheikarit (calendar used in Buddha’s time)
Associated festival: Buddha Pujaniya Tabaung Festival (paying homage to Buddha)
Details for the celebration: (a) Invite as many sangha as possible (b) Offer requisites to the sangha
Objectives: To remember the Triple Gems: Buddha , Dhamma, and Sangha
He matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo.
He was admitted with Roll Number One to the first ever 1st BE in November 1964.
He graduated with Electrical Power in 1970.
He worked for HIC briefly and Ceramics Corporation.
He moved to USA, did his MS and worked in the Electronics Industry until retirement.
Activities and Achievements
He was selected as RIT Luyechun in the Summer of 1965 to attend Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
He wrote a long article about “RIT Days 1964 – 1970”. U Ohn Khine (M70) added details and posted in the Google Group for the 1st BE Intake. I added the article and published it in RIT Alumni Newsletter.
He hosted Sayagyi U Ba Toke (who was invited to attend SPZP-2000 by his former students) at his new house in Hayward California.
He played Soccer for his Block, Class and EE department (mainly as Goalkeeper).
He was EC of Hostel Committe, Burmese Association, Maths Association, EE Association, English Association, Track & Field Association, RIT Magazine Committee.
Notes
He made waves when he complained about mismanagement at the Luyechun Camp. Later Camp Commandants were sayas (including Sayagyi U Ba Toke).
He added Nawaday to his name to minimize name conflicts (which are common for Burmese names).
Ko Ye Myint (son of Sayagyi U Ba Toke) and Ko Nyunt Maung San were Best Men at his wedding.
Ko Naing Win (GBNF) asked Ko Zaw Min to accompany him to a Cinema with his girlfriend and another (who became Ko ZM’s soul mate).
He had a short temper. He was given a stern warning for hitting a student (who instigated him). It appeared in a report requested by the father (DIG of Police) of his girlfriend, but …
He competed in the English Debate between 1st year and 2nd year classes. He won as a 1st year student. He lost as a 2nd year student.
He was a preliminary selection for the RIT crew at RUBC.
He hiked to Rakkhine with Ko Han Tha Myint and Ko Sein Win. It was reported in the newspapers.
He lived and worked in New York and California. After retirement, he moved to Las Vegas.
In the 1961 – 62 Academic Year, the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University moved to the Gyogone Campus.
It was named Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
Sayas & Sayamas
U Yone Mo served as Dean.
U Sein Hla served as Registrar.
Newly minted sayas & sayamas include U Aung Soe (C), U Maung Maung Win (M), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T) & Daw Julie Han
Matriculation & HSF
In 1961, the last Matric & High School Final exam took place. Those who pass the exam could attend the University.
In 1962, there were separate exams for Matric & HSF. Those who pass HSF had to take the Matric exam in order to attend the University.
2nd SEAP Games
RU athletes in 2nd SEAP Games
In December 1961, Burma hosted the 2nd South East Asian Peninsular Games.
Burma placed First (according to the Tally of Medals) in the Games. Burma was dominant in Track & Field, Swimming & Diving (to name a few).
About 20 students Rangoon University represented Burma in the Games. Several won Gold Medals : Tun Mra (4 x 100 meters relay), Soe Mra (Pole Vault), Kyaw Han (Volleyball), Richard Yu Khin (Yachting).
Ko Richard (GBNF) provided the group photo. He also wrote about the swimming training with Ko Tin Maung Ni under a Japanese coach.
Met Ko Tun Mra, Ko Khin Maung Latt & Ko Tin Myint (GBNF) at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. Ko Tun Mra mentioned that he, Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF), Ko Soe Mra & Ko Tun Naung represented Burma in the first SEAP Games held in Bangkok in 1959.
1962
Coup d’etat
On March 2, 1962, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. Sao Shwe Thaik’s son was killed.
Mahn Win Maung (President), U Nu (Prime Minister), U Myint Thein (Chief Justice), several high ranking officers & Sawbwas were imprisoned.
U Myint Thein was among the first to be detained and the last to be released. He was given only a part day off to attend the last journey of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (pioneer Burmese female barrister).
Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung had been selected to succeed Mahn Win Maung as the President, but the Coup ended the democratic parliamentary system.
Sama Duwa Sin Wa Naung
HSF Exam
The HSF exam results for Rangoon Division was annulled claiming a leakage of exam questions.
The students had to retake the HSF exam in August, 1962.
Dark Days in July
There were two Dark Days.
Student protesters faced indiscriminate shooting on July 7, 1962. The newspapers & Myanmar Ah Than said that there were 17 victims.
Ko Aung Khin who was killed by a stray bullet on his way back from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road was listed as the 17th casualty.
On July 8, 1962, the revered RU Student Union Building was demolished.
1963
Matric Exam
SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
Most exams were held in March. However, the Matric exam in 1963 was held in May.
St. Paul’s High School had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
Anniversary of 7th July
In July 1963, the first Anniversary of 7th July 1962 was celebrated with posters, pamphlets & magazines.
Some time later, the higher authorities announced the closure of most schools except the Faculty of Medicine & the Faculty of Engineering.
Rangoon University Boat Club
Dinner to celebrate the RUBC 40th Anniversary
Annual Regatta was canceled citing security reasons.
Sithu U Tin (President) decided not to cancel the Dinner commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC by Sit Arthur Eggar (Law Professor).
1964
Scholarship for USSR & East Bloc
Soviet Union and East Bloc nations offered scholarships for undergraduates & graduates.
Some classmates (who were concerned about how long the schools will close) applied & were accepted.
Maung Maung Kyi studied Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, GDR.
New Education System
Shwe YaDu
Enacted in November 1964
The reorganization saw former Faculties as independent Institutes with their own Rector and Registrar. The remaining faculties of Rangoon University became Rangoon Arts & Science University (RASU).
Under the new Education system, BIT became Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It had autonomy. U Yone Mo served as Rector. U Soe Thein (former student leader) served as Registrar.
Matriculates were admitted to the fresher classes at the Universities & Institutes using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA).
The marks for each subject were converted to an ILA score (1 – 20). Those who have a balanced score can have a higher ILA than someone who has high marks in most subjects but a low score in one subject.
There were name changes to the degrees offered, e.g B.E instead of B.Sc.(Engg)
Majors were introduced.
LL.B was offered.
Luyechun
The program was initiated in the Summer of 1964.
Outstanding students from middle school and high school was chosen as Luyechun. They were sent to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Win Aung (TTC) and Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw) were some High School Luyechuns.
1965
Nationalization
On April 1, 1965 private schools were nationalized.
St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
Methodist English High School (MEHS) became No. 1 Dagon State High School.
Luyechun Camps
Inlay Luyechun
The Luyechun program was extended to students of Universities & Institutes in the summer of 1965.
I was selected as RIT Luyechun along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ma Khin Than Myint Tin, and Ko Zaw Min. We were sent to the newly opened Inlay Khaung Daing Camp was added.
The Rangoon Combined Camp was the meeting point for those from Ngapali Camp and Inlay Camp.
First school established by the De La Salle Brothers in Burma.
Built in Moulmein (1860)
Photos taken during my visit to the school (2016)
Clock Tower, boarding house upstairs, exam hall below
St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein
Photos taken during my visit
St. Pat 1St. Pat 2St. Pat 3Entrance
Memories
Our class photoV B
Our class photoVII Std
Class teacher Bro. Sebastian. I met Bro Sebastain during our first year at Leikkone in 1958-59 while he was attending BAed.
Ko Ko Lay (UCC) first row, sitting second from left. U Aye (M62), second row, sitting second from right. B. Singh (RU goalkeeper) third row, first from right, Myo Lwin (M63), third row third from right.
Absentees : Kyaw Win (M62), Peter Gale.
Bro Canice was Bro Director, House Master Mr. E. Swarris, House Capt. Dr. Aung Myin (Eye, passed away in UK around 2018), U Win Naing (MS pulp and paper)(CRO) third row, fourth from right, U Aye, third row, third from right.
Our matriculation class 1955-56
Bro Austin, Bro Director, Bro Wilfrid, Class teacher, U Tun Shwe, Myanmar Sar, Mr. DeMonte, Moral and Manners.
Peter Gale, Dr. Thet Lwin (Statistics), B. Singh (RU goalkeeper), medical doctors Dr JK Sinha (UK), Dr Rafi, Dr Rajani Vora, India, Capt. Aung Myint, Capt Ya Kyaw, Myo Lwin (M63), Kyaw Win (M62), John Ba Maung, Russian Lecturer (IFL)
Prof. Khin Zaw (Chemistry), Saw Alfred Keh (Preacher after graduation, son of pre-WW2, RU footballer Washington Keh), U Kyi Win (BPI), U Aye among others.
St Patrick’s HS football team of late 40s and early 50s
During 1948-49, St Pat’s team beat all other Schools’ Combined team. Some of the team members were-
Bernard Henry – Goalkeeper,
R. S. Pathy, Tin Aye — Fullbacks,
Pway Ain (Htay Aung), Jimmy Innes, Tin Ngwe (Mid-field),
Rama (Rightwinger), Khine Thein,SV Lingham, Jimmy Sein (Tint Swe), B. Boudville (Left winger).
Later Pway Ain (Htay Aung) played for RU, Jimmy Sein (Tint Swe) played for Prome Hall and RU. Jimmy Innes played for Customs FC in Rangoon first div.
Many played in Friends Union FC in Moulmein first div.
St Patrick’s Alumini, Ko Ko Gyi, Tenasserim division and Burma selected footballer.Standing second from L Pway Ain(Hyay Aung)) and Jimmy Sein(Tint Swe) seated second from L, were from St Patrick’s HS football teamB.Singh back row, fifth from L in black goalkeeper jersey, the tall guy was from St Patrick’s HS, he was also a Tenasserim Division player. He was my classmate in St Pat.
Dennis Mackey (C73) wrote
Thanks for this piece as part of your “Work in Progress”.
Below are photos and notes that I posted on my FB page and on St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein FB public group page.
De La Salle Schools — St. Pat (Moulmein), St. Paul’s (Rangoon), St. Peter’s (Mandalay), St. Albert’s (Maymyo), St. Columban’s (Bhamo), St. Joseph’s (Loikaw), DLS (Twante)
Private schools were nationalized on April 1, 1965
U Aye represented RU & BIT in Volleyball. He graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1962. He worked for HIC and FAO.
HlaMin 