by Hla Min
Updated : June 2025
by Hla Min
Updated : June 2025
Burma Athletic Association (BAA) has a stadium to host
It was renamed Aung San Stadium to honor Bogyoke Aung San.
The Basketball championships include
The club was founded (or re-established) by
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.
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.
here are two kinds of Hockey :
RIT Hockey
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)
Dr. Richard Yu Khin has two Facebook pages. One is exclusively for Sailing.
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.
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.
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
U Chan Tha’s team won the Inter-Hall Soccer Trophy for three consecutive years. U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) was a star player.
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.
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
We also played in the annual tournament for RIT Staff. The staff teams are
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.
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.
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 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.
Several sayas (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Tin Hlaing, U Tu Myint) played Tennis.
It is a generic name for Burmese/Myanmar Martial Arts.
It comprises of
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.
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).
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 :
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.
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.
The Class of 70 was represented in RIT and/or Inter-Institute by the following :
Source : Ohn Khine (M70) and Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
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.
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.
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)
Boycotts
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.
Over the years, RIT won several Inter-Institute Championships. They include
News and photos are covered in several of my posts.
The trophy (named after the founding President) was won outright by Brazil, after winning the World Cup three times in
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.
Pele (Brazil, 1958) is the youngest teenager to score in a World Cup Final. He was 17 years old.
Brazil (1970) is the youngest team to win the World Cup
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.
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.
by Hla Min
Updated : June 2025
When Rangoon University reopened in 1946, three siblings — Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick), Dr. Pe Thein (Tom) and their elder sister — attended RU along with U Tin U.
Pe Nyun, Pe Thein, Khin Maung Wint / Bobby Tin (son of Architect U Tin) and Tin U represented Rangoon University Boat Club at the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi and became RUBC Gold.
U Sein Htoon & U Zeyar Linn have the honor to be the Second Father-Son pair of RUBC Captain and Gold.
RUBC was founded in 1923. U Ba Tun served as the first Captain.
A group photo of the RUBC Captains were taken in 1963-64.
Date : December 12, 2017.
Host : U Maung Maung Than Tun and family
Event: Wedding of U MMTT’s grand daughter (daughter of U Hla Maw Tun, Past Secretary)
Attendees include U Tun Shein (Willy, RUBC Gold), Dr. Than Nyunt (George, Past Captain & Gold), U Tin Htoon (A60, Past Captain & Gold).
U Tun Shein (Willie, RUBC Gold) hosted a lunch gathering for Saya U Tin Htut (M60, RUBC Captain & Gold, US), U Tin Htoon (A60, RUBC Captain & Gold, US) and U Maung Maung Than Tun (Retired Ambassador, RUBC Captain & Gold).
U Tin Htut coxed the Old Paulians crew, which won the Senior Novices event in 1954. The crew comprised of Tun Shein (Stroke), M. Hla Min (SPHS Saya), Than Nyun (George, retired minister), and Sao Hso Holm (Bow, son of Arzanee Sawbwa).
Four of the five crew members became RUBC Gold. Two became RUBC Captains.
by Hla Min
Updated : June 2025
Sir Arthur Eggar taught at Rangoon University the first time as a Lecturer in Mathematics.
He came back later as Professor of Law (in addition to being an Advisor for the Government).
He founded RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) in 1923.
He rowed at Cambridge University. He is a proponent of the EggBairn Style.
I attended the 40th Anniversary Dinner in 1963. Sithu U Tin (President), U Po Zon (VP) and U Tin Htoon (A60, Past Captain, ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960) compiled the History of RUBC for the Souvenir Magazine.
I served as Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine in 2013. I wrote Prelude for each Section and three articles. I was the last EC to be elected at RUBC AGM. The higher authorities later came in, ignored the Byelaw and denied me the Captaincy.
U Tin Htoon (A60, Chair), U Myo Myint (EC67, Vice Chair), U Htaik San (Henry, M81, Secretary) headed the Magazine Committee.
Several Old Members donated to reprint the Memoirs of Sir Arthur Eggar.
Not in picture :
Four brothers : U Tin U, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon (A60), U Thaung Lwin (EC66)
& cousin : U Sein Htoon (M63)
Amateur Rowing Association of the East
1960 ARAE Regatta at Colombo
1958 ARAE Regatta at Calcutta
Far East Amateur Rowing Association
They are all Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club.
The following account of the Kidnapping is recounted by Dr. Khin Tun (Peter Tin U, his eldest son, UK). Was it a series of coincidences or a miracle?
He had an experience of being kidnapped by his company driver who hired “insurgents” with criminal records, to do the job. They came to his office at Lewis street, and pretended to be from military intelligence in mufti. They asked him to come along with them for questioning. They asked the office driver to drive the company jeep up to A1 compound near 9th mile and let the driver to get off at a bus stop with a letter to give to my mother.
One of them took the driver seat and continued driving out of the city passing Mingaladon airport. When their jeep went past the Mingaladon Military Intelligence Centre (Yay Kyi Ine), my father became suspicious.
Luckily, there was a road block near Hmawbi, and the kidnappers tried and overtook the battle tanks in a convoy on the road. An off duty military police stopped the car, giving my father a chance to ask for help; my father reached the car key from the back seat and threw it away. The military police asked my father to drive instead and was later freed, after being taken to the military commander and the police station.
In the mean time my mother, who was doing research at Insein Railway Hospital, received a ransom letter at 11 am to bring 60,000 Kyats in a jute bag, wearing a red longyi to a road corner, near “Ar-lain-nga-sint” pagoda in “Mingaladon”, by 3 pm the same day.
The kidnappers’ plan was to torture and kill my father whether they received the ransom or not. The grudge was for sacking the driver who took sick leave, and went to work in another company to get two salaries.
Burma produced Asian Selected including Suk Bahadur, Maung Maung (Navy), and Goalkeepers — Khin Maung Tun and Tin Aung.
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.
My uncle U Win Tin (GBNF) took me to watch soccer matches. We watched selected matches (e.g. Dunlop Trophy) and some International matches (e.g. 2nd SEAP Games).
The Northern and Southern Stands cost about fifty pyas, but they provided limited scope and vision. But, they have roofs.
Grand Stand costs about five kyats. It would be a rare treat to watch from the Grand Stand (especially near the center line).
The Open Stand opposite the Grand Stand is a good compromise for about K1.50. We had to carry umbrella or wear raincoat for matches during the Rainy Season.
It was established in 1952. Shan States with Suk Bahadhur won the inaugural tournament.
Mandalay, Tennessarim and Irrawaddy became Contenders and/or Champions.
Many players were recruited by the First Division teams and some became Burma Selected.
by Hla Min
Updated : May 2025
The following are some friends who stood above par in RIT athletics events.
Photos : Zaw Zaw Minn (U Chan Tha’s eldest son)
HlaMin 