Category: Sports

Feedback by U Aye (M62, HIC/FAO/UN (Retired))

Burma Selected

• Aung Khin (RU, Scored winning goal in Asian Games)
• Aye Maung [Gyi] (Construction)
• Aye Maung [Lay] (Air Force)
• Ba Pu
• Gale (Goalkeeper)
• Gwan Shein (SPED)
• Hla Htay (Irrawaddy, Customs)
• Hla Maung (Goalkeeper, Army)
• Hla Tin (Kee)
• Htoo War
• John Tint (Khin Maung Myint, RIT, RU)
• Kenneth Shein (RU, Railways)
• Khin Maung Tun (Goalkeeper, Asian Star)
• Ko Ko Gyi (Tenessarim, Customs)
• Kyaw Min (Goalkeeper turned forward)
• Kyaw Htin (RIT, RU, Construction)
• Maung Maung (Navy, Asian Star)
• Maung Maung (RU)
• Maung Maung (Gary, RU, SAMB)
• Nay Win (Collegian, Best Player Award)
• Pe Khin
• Robert Yin Gyaw
• Saw Mya Zin (Goalkeeper, SAMB)
• Saw Thaung Tin (Auro, Goalkeeper)
• Soe Myint (Tenessarim, RU)
• Soe Myint Lwin (RIT, RU, EPC)
• Suk Bahadhur (Burma Team Captain, Asian Star)
• Than Soe (Suttee)
• Tin Aung (Goalkeeper, Asian Star)
• Tin Aung Moe
• Tin Han (Railways)
• Tin Kyi
• Tun Kyi (Engineering, RU, Railways)
• Tun Wain (Tenessarim, Customs)
• Vernon Stiles (Tin Tun , Army)

RU First Eleven Football Team

Photos provided by Pearl Shein (Pale Shein, M.Sc. Computer Science)
In memory of her father Kenneth Shein

• Won the Senior Second Division in 1953 – 54
• Team Captain : Tun Kyi
• Members include Collegian Nay Win, Jimmy Sein and Kenneth Shein

• Kenneth Shein played for Rangoon University, Railways and Burma Selected.
  He served as Chief Transportation Officer.
  Sadly passed away in 1987.

• Kenneth Shein has five children.
  Khine Min Shein and Nilar Shein live in Yangon.
• Kathleen Shein (Kenneth’s spouse) live in Singapore with Pearl Shein (Pale Shein), Yadana Shein and Nyan Min Shein.

U Aye (M62, HIC/FAO/UN (Retired)) wrote :

Ko Ko Gyi and Tun Wain were former Tenasserim division players.

Ko Ko Gyi was from St. Patrick’s HS. He was one year junior to me. He left school when he was offered a job
at the Customs, to play for Customs football club.

Tun Wain and we attended Moulmein college together in 1956-57. He left the college to join Customs and played for Customs football team.

Apart from the above list, some Prominent/Burma selected footballers in the early 1950s.

Army

• Ba Shwe (Col)
• Ba Kyu
• Tin Thaung
• Kyaw Thaung
• David Kyaw Zan (Former Tenasserim div. Player)
• Tin Kyi
• Hla Maung, goalkeeper

Customs

• Robert Yin Kyaw (Former Tenasserim div, Captain)
• Maung Aung (Former Tenasserim player)
• Samuel (forward)
• Aukim (Goalkeeper)
• Jimmy Innes ( St Patrick’s HS, Moulmein).
  He played in St. Patrick’s HS team with Jimmy Sein (U Tint Swe),of the victorious Prome Hall football team,

SAMB

• Saw Mya Zin, goal keeper
• Chan Sein

The following footballers also played for RU First Eleven. (in different times)

• Khin Pe Gyi
• Goal keeper Than Shwe
  (before B. Singh arrived)
• Nyi Nyi Lwin
  Joined Navy after graduation later
  Worked in Dept.of Fisheries as Dy. DG
• Maung Pyone (from Mandalay Hall)
  A good volleyball player, he played for Pyapon District.
  Joined Army after graduation.
• Kyi Gwan (from Mandalay Hall)
  He was from Dawei.
• Ngwe Gaing (from Sagaing Hall)
  He was a Burma selected Youth team.
  He was from Morton Lane Judson HS, Moulmein.

Inter State and Division – 1952.

The final match was played between Shan State and Sagaing Division. Shan State was led by Suk Bahadur, Bahadur Lama and another Bahadur. Sagaing Division had an excellent goalkeeper Pho Tha Bay. Many deadly shots from the Shan State were saved by Pho Tha Bay. Shan State won the shield after narrowly beat the Sagaing division. Suk Bahadur was recruited by the Army team and became a legend. Two other Bahadurs and Pho Tha Bay faded out.

Tenasserim division was third, (If I remember correctly).

Football World Cup

In 1958 World Cup football tournament, in the final, Brazil played against Sweden. Brazil won by 5-2. In the Brazilian team were Pele, Garincha, Vava and Didi.

Pele, Garincha and Vava continued to play for Brazil in1962 in which Brazil won again, against Czechoslovakia 3-1.

After the world cup in 1958, Didi joined Real Madrid. Although successful, he stayed for only one season. According to the news he had a difficult relation with Di Stefino, the main striker and popular player of Real Madrid.

Prominent Tenessarim football players in the early fifties

• Maung Tin (goalkeeper) from Moulmein
  
• B. Singh (goalkeeper) from St.Patrick’s HS, Moulmein.
  Became RU goalkeeper. He was my classmate at St. Patrick’s High School
  
• Maung Aung (left back) was recruited by Customs FC.
  He was from Dawei.
  
• Lun Tin (right back) was from Dawei
  
• Pway Ain (Htay Aung), R back.
  Former RU first XI team member.
  After graduation, he went back to Moulmein, played for a local team.
  Selected to represent Tenasserim Division, but he declined.
  
• Robin L back
  
• Hoke Yee (L Half), later became Captain of the Tenasserim division football team.
  
• Robert Yin Kyaw, Captain of the Tenasserim division.
  Recruited by the Customs FC,
  Played for Burma selected team.
  
• Aung Myint from Dawei
  
• Yakun, from Dawei
  
• Ko Ko Gyi, forward, from St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein.
  He was one year junior to me at St. Pat.
  After his success in Tenasserim division team, he was recruited by Customs FC, became a Burma selected footballer.
  Played alongside with Bahadur, became a legend.
  
• Saw Ke, right winger, from Moulmein.
  
• Dupalee from Moulmein.
  
• David Kyaw Zan, recruited by Army team,
  Played in Yangon first division.
  
• Tun Wain
  After his success in Tenasserim football team, he was recruited by the Customs FC.
  He was my classmate at Moulmein college.

Some of the Tenasserim selected players were from SE Command, in Moulmein.

• San Ko Win (forward)
• Marlan (forward)
• David Kyaw Zan (left winger), later played with Army team jn first division.

RU footballers

“Five goals Soe Myint” (as he is well known) was a RU selected footballer. He got five goals against the Navy team. He was from Inwa Hall and a good volleyball player, and played as a setter.

Saw Biosonny was a close friend and roommate of Mg Pyone , RU footballer. Biosonny later became a RU goalkeeper together with B.Singh. He was a good volleyball player. He and Mg Pyone played for Pyapon district team.

Newspaper clipping provided by U Tin Htoon

RUBC

RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) took part in the FEARA (Far Eastern Amateur Rowing Association) Regatta held at Hong Kong in November 1959.

U Tun Shein (Past Secretary)

U Tun Shein (Willie Saing) is Ko Lin Tun’s father and U Tin Win’s brother. He represented RUBC mostly as Timing Stroke. He is also a Sculler like U San Maung (Gerald). Ko Willie won the Senior Novices in 1954 and became Gold that year. His Senior Novice crew include M. Hla Min (Mossaji, Gold), Than Nyun (George, Captain and Gold), Sao Hso Holm (Saw bwa lay, son of Arzani Sao San Tun) and Tin Htut (cox, multiple Novice winner, Captain and Gold). Four Golds out of Five members.

U Win Kyi

U Win Kyi is the son of Sayama Miss Hong Kong (Amelia Kyi, SPHS), the brother of U Min Kyi, and father of Ko Naymyo Thura. He usually rowed as 3 in 4+ (Coxed Fours) and 7 in 8+ (Coxed Eights).

U Tin Htoon (Past Captain)

U Tin Htoon rowed as 2 for Ko Jimmy Saw Lwin and Ko Willie Saing in the early days. He later rowed as Timing Stroke and won ARAE trophies :

• Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at Calcutta in 1958 with Ko Harry Saing
• Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at Colombo in 1960 with Ko Harry Saing, Ko Victor Htun Shein, Ko Sunny Teng and Ko Sein Htoon.

• U Tin Htoon was Editor of the 40th Anniversary Issue and Chair of the 90th Anniversary Issue (where I wrote Prelude for each section, and three articles).
  
  His brothers include
• Saya U Tin U (Past Captain)
• Saya U Ba Than (Green)
• Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain)
• Saya U Myo Min (Green)
• U Thaung Lwin (Past Captain)

Dr. Harry Saing (Past Captain)

Ko Harry Saing (Htut Saing) rowed mostly as Bow. In the RUBC Annual Regatta of 1962, he rowed as Timing Stroke with U Win Kyi as 7 to train seven brand new Golds : Myo Tin, Micky Tan (Thein Aung), Htain Lin, Oung Kyaing, Winston Tun Thoung (Mehm Myo Thoung), Myo Myint and Tin Aung (Victor Wu).

He is the elder brother of Dr. Victor Saing (Aye Kyaw).

In the 90th Anniversary Issue, I wrote a tribute to Ko Harry as a multi-sports athlete and scholar / professional.

U San Maung (Past Secretary)

Ko Gerald (San Maung) rowed on the Stroke side before specializing in Sculls.

He served as Club Coach along with Ko Harry.

He is the elder brother of Ko Hardy (Yan Shin).

Dr. Hla Min

Ko Eddie (Hla Min) was a Golden Cox.

He later coxed Defense crews.

He served BMH (Mingaladon Base Military Hospital) as Orthopedic Surgeon.

In our younger days, Bohmugyi Hla Oung was the President of “Chay Lyin and Taung Tet Ah Thin”.

Ko Henry Wan (SPHS, eldest of nine brothers) was an evangelist for Hiking and Mountaineering. His younger brother Ko Than Soe played volleyball for Burma.

Some Hiking and Mountaineering enthusiasts from RIT include

• Ko Win Lwin (M69)
• Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
• Ko Cho Aye (M70, GBNF)
• Ma Kyi Kyi Sein (“Bei Oo”)

U Win Lwin (M69) served as Secretary of the RIT Hiking & Mountaineering Association.
He, U Cho Aye (M70, GBNF) and 13 RIT students took part in the All Universities and Institutes Team to climb Mount Victoria (Nat Ma Taung, Chin Hills) in March 1969.
He posted some photos from the trip.

* Daw Kyi Kyi Sein (Bae Oo) took part in Hiking contests. She also played Badminton for RIT.

** Notes

* There were nine Wan brothers. Most if not all attended SPHS.

The eldest was a proponent of Hiking & Mountaineering.

The third (Than Soe) played Volleyball for Burma.

* Colonel Hla Oung headed the Burma Hiking & Mountaineering Association.

His nephews and niece : Phillip, William and Elizabeth Smythe represented Burma in Swimming and Diving.

RIT

• Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) : President
• U Tin Tun (M69) : Secretary
• U Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) : Joint Secretary
• U Min Din : Invited Thaing Sayas for exhibition

** Notes

* There are several Thaing groups

* Conventional Thaing consists of Bando and Banshay

U Pye Thein, U Chit Than, U Khin Maung, U San Maung, U Po Kyaw Myint, U Tun Sar, U Mya Thein, U Aung Thein, U Myint Thein, … Dr. Maung Maung Gyi

* Variants include

Mon Thaing

Kayin Thaing

Thaing Byaung Byan

Kin Maung Bo

• Past Captain and Gold
• Commander / First native Chief of the Burma Navy
• Succeeded by Commodore Than Pe

Commodore Than Pe

• Past Captain and Gold
• Vice Chief of Staff (Navy)
• Member of 17-man Revolutionary Council in 1962
• Minister of Health and Education
• Succeeded Sir Arthur Eggar as President of RUBC
• Helped found Defense Services Rowing Club and Burma Rowing Federation

James Barrington

• Gold
• ICS
• Permanent Representative of the Burmese Delegation to the United Nations
• Preceded U Thant as Permanent Representative
• Succeeded U Thant who was elected Secretary General of the United Nations

Balwant Singh

• Gold
• Pali
• Commissioner of Pegu (Bago) Division
• High ranking official in the United Nations for Security

Chan Tha

• Past Captain and Gold
• Soccer star (Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University team Captain, Burma Selected)

Harry Saing (Htut Saing)

• Past Captain and Gold)
• Multiple sports athlete : represented Faculty of Medicine, Rangoon University and Burma in Hockey, Cricket, Soccer, Track and Field, Rowing
• Represented RUBC 10+ times
• Won Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta at Calcutta with Tin Htoon
• Won Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta at Colombo with Tin Htoon, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and Sein Htoon
• Pediatric Surgeon: With Dr. Pe Nyun (Past Secretary and Gold, Lead Surgeon), Ko Harry conducted the first operation in Burma to separate conjoined twins (Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San)
• Professor at Hong Kong Medical School
• Patron of Hong Kong Rowing / Sailing Club
• His ashes were scattered into the waters near the Hong Kong Rowing Club
• He supported RUBC teams competing at the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong
• Mostly rowed as Bow.
• In 1962, Ko Harry coached seven new Golds and rowed as Timing Stroke. Ko Win Kyi rowed as (7). Myo Tin (6), Micky Tan (5), Htain Linn (4), Oung Kyaing (3), Winston Tun Thoung (2), Myo Myint (Bow), Victor Wu (Cox) benefited from his coaching.

Some Golds from the 1950s & 1960s

• U Maung Maung Than Tun
• Dr. Myo Tint
• U Tin Htut
• U Tin Htoon
• Lawrence Sein Tun Aung
• Jimmy Saw Lwin
• Aunt Kyi
• U Tun Shein (Willie Saing)
• U San Maung (Gerald Sein)
• Dr. Hla Min (Eddie Chan)
• M. Hla Min (E A Moosaji)
• U Han Tin
• U Sein Htoon
• Victor Htun Shein
• Sunny Teng
• U Mya Maung (U Min Aung)
• Mehm Than Thoung (Maurice Tun Thoung)
• Dr. Tin Wa
• U Tun Aung (George Singh)
• Dr. Donald Chan
• Dr. Thein Htut
• G Ko Lay
• L. Than Myint
• U Than Soe
• U Tun Zan
• U Myo Tin (William Hone)
• U Htain Lin
• Mehm Myo Thoung (Winston Tun Thoung)
• U Thein Aung (Micky Tan)
• U Oung Kyaing
• U Myo Myint
• U Tin Aung (Victor Wu)
• U Thaung Lwin
• U Than Htut

• Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) was founded by Law Professor Sir Arthur Eggar in 1923.
• RUBC produced not only outstanding rowers, but also successful entrepreneurs, educators, professors, doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers, diplomats, armed forces personnel (to name a few)

RUBC and Defense Services

Kin Maung Bo

• Past Captain and Gold
• Commander / First native Chief of the Burma Navy
• Succeeded by Commodore Than Pe

Commodore Than Pe

• Past Captain and Gold
• Vice Chief of Staff (Navy)
• Member of 17-man Revolutionary Council in 1962
• Minister of Health and Education
• Succeeded Sir Arthur Eggar as President of RUBC
• Helped found Defense Services Rowing Club and Burma Rowing Federation

Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun

• Past Captain and Gold
• Served as OSD (Officer on Special Duty) under Commodore Than Pe
• Helped found Defense Services Rowing Club and Burma Rowing Federation
• Oldest among the Past Captains who are alive
• First pair of Father-Son who are Past Captain and Gold
• Hla Maw Tun (Past Secretary and Gold)
• Aung Khine (Past Captain and Gold)

Miscellaneous

• Several others served in the Army and Air Force.

RUBC and United Nations

James Barrington

• Gold
• ICS
• Permanent Representative of the Burmese Delegation to the United Nations
• Preceded U Thant as Permanent Representative
• Succeeded U Thant who was elected Secretary General of the United Nations

Balwant Singh

• Gold
• Majored in Pali
• Commissioner of Pegu (Bago) Division
• High ranking official in the United Nations for Security

Miscellaneous

• Several others worked on UN organizations and projects.

Multiple Sports Athletes

Chan Tha

• Past Captain and Gold
• Captain of the RU Prome Hall Soccer team which won the Inter-Hall trophy for three consecutive years
• Played soccer for
  Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University
  and Burma

Dr. Harry Saing

• Past Captain and Gold
• Represented Faculty of Medicine, Rangoon University and Burma in several sports
  Hockey
  Cricket
  Soccer
  Track and Field
  Rowing
• Represented RUBC 10+ times
• Won Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta at Calcutta with Tin Htoon
• Won Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta at Colombo with Tin Htoon, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and Sein Htoon
• Pediatric Surgeon:
  With Dr. Pe Nyun (Past Secretary and Gold, Lead Surgeon), he conducted the first operation in Burma to separate conjoined twins (Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San)
• Professor at Hong Kong Medical School
• Patron of Hong Kong Rowing / Sailing Club
• His ashes were scattered into the waters near the Hong Kong Rowing Club
• He supported RUBC teams competing at the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong
• Mostly rowed as Bow.
• In 1962, Ko Harry coached seven new Golds and rowed as Timing Stroke. Ko Win Kyi rowed as (7). Myo Tin (6), Micky Tan (5), Htain Linn (4), Oung Kyaing (3), Winston Tun Thoung (2), Myo Myint (Bow), Victor Wu (Cox) benefited from his coaching.

Miscellaneous

• Several others represented in other sports
  
  Boxing
  Judo
  Swimming and Water Polo
  Track and Field
  Yachting

Some Golds from the early days

• U Tin U
  Most senior among the Past Captains who are alive
  Represented RUBC at the 1948 Independence Day Regatta with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and Bobby Tin
• U Maung Maung Than Tun
  Oldest among the Past Captains who are alive
• Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain)
• U Tin Htut (Past Captain)
• Dr. Harry Saing (Past Captain, ARAE Champion in 1958 &1960, Club Coach)
• U Tin Htoon (Past Captain, ARAE Champion in 1958 & 1960)
• U Han Tin (Past Captain)
• Dr. Tin Wa (Past Captain, 1959 Gold)
• U Sein Htoon (Past Captain, ARAE Champion, 1960 Gold)
• U Thaung Lwin (Past Captain, 1963 Gold)
• U Myo Tin (William Hone, Past Captain, 1962 Gold)
• Lawrence Sein Tun Aung
• Jimmy Saw Lwin
• Aunt Kyi
• U Tun Shein (Willie Saing, 1954 Gold)
• U San Maung (Gerald Sein, Club Coach)
• Dr. Hla Min (Eddie Chan)
• M. Hla Min (E A Moosaji)
• U Tun Zan
• U Tun Aung (George Singh)
• Dr. Donald Chan
• Dr. Thein Htut
• G Ko Lay
• L. Than Myint
• U Than Soe
• Victor Htun Shein (ARAE Champion, 1960 Gold)
• Sunny Teng (ARAE Champion, 1960 Gold)
• U Mya Maung (U Min Aung, 1961 Gold)
• Mehm Than Thoung (Maurice Tun Thoung, 1961 Gold)
• U Htain Lin (1962 Gold)
• Mehm Myo Thoung (Winston Tun Thoung, 1962 Gold)
• U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, 1962 Gold)
• U Oung Kyaing (1962 Gold)
• U Myo Myint (1962 Gold)
• U Tin Aung (Victor Wu, 1962 Gold)
• U Than Htut (1963 Gold)

Members

The members of South East Asian Peninsular Games include

• Burma
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The 1st SEAP Games was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1959.

Second SEAP Games

• 2nd SEAP Games was held in Rangoon, Burma in December 1961.
• Aung San Stadium was the main venue.

University Student Athletes

• About 20 University Students represented Burma in the Games. Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61), son of Saya U Yu Khin (Dean of RU), provided the photo.

Swimming

• Burma placed first in the medal standings.
  
• Tin Maung Ni won 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4×100 medley relay.
  Rangoon University and Burma Champion.
  Joined the Navy.
  Won Gold at the Asian Games.
  Competed in the Olympics.
  
• His team mates — Mya Thee, Aung Than, Maung Kyi — also dominated the other events.

• Aye Kyaw (cousin of Dr. Hla Yee Yee) and Derek Lynsdale represented Burma in swimming.

Table Tennis

• Mao Toon Siong (M62) was Burma Champion for Singles and Doubles in Table Tennis.
• Later served as National Coach.

Tennis

• Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Dok, Tennis)
  Later married Than Lwin (Tennis)

Track and Field

• Burma placed first in the medal standings.
  
• Three Mra brothers — Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra and Soe Mra — won Gold Medals.
• Tun Mra won a Gold in the 4×100 m relay with Soe Win (Burma Champion) as anchor.
  Tun Naung (RU) was a member.
• Kyaw Mra won the Hurdles.
• Soe Mra won the Pole Vault.

Yachting

Fifth SEAP Games

Held in Rangoon in 1969.

Burma won several Golds for Weightlifting and Yachting.

Soccer

Suk Bahadhur

• Played soccer for Shan States, Army and Burma.
• One of the three Bahadhur from the Shan States Soccer team that won the Inaugural Champions for Inter State and Division Tournament in 1952.
• Recruited to play for the Army in the First Division.
• Initially played Forward in the 5-3-2 formation.
• Later played Midfielder in the 4-2-4 formation.
• Captain of the Burma Selected.
• Chosen as a Asian All Star.

Asian All Stars

• Suk Bhadhur
• Maung Maung (Navy)
  Most prominent among the five or more Burma Selected named Maung Maung
• Khin Maung Tun (Goalkeeper)
• Tin Aung (Goalkeeper)

Swimming

Tin Maung Ni

• Swam for Rangoon University, Navy and Burma.
• Won Gold Medals at the SEAP Games and Asian Games.
• Invited to a US Tour
• Competed in Olympics
• Ba Than Nyunt wrote : Dear Sir, (U)Tin Maung Ni won Gold medals not only in SEAPgames but also in two successive Asian Games. If my recall is right, he is from Bhan Maw, Kachin State.

Training by Mr. Matsuda (Japanese Coach)

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.

Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote

Tin Maung Ni went for an overseas competition, brought back a VW Beetle with a faux skin glued?? over the body. Of course, it was an big attraction those days.

Other Male Champions

• Mya Thee
• Maung Kyi
• Aung Than
• Nanda Kyaw Swar
• …

Female Champions

• Soe Sisters (Sally, Mary, Maisie, Muya)
• Elizabeth Smythe
• Marla Swe
• Polly Ba San
• …

Tennis

Joe Ba Maung

• Burma Men Singles Champion
• Burma Men Doubles Champion (e.g. with Than Lwin)
• Burma Mixed Doubles Champion (e.g. with Daw Ruby Kha)
• Taught English (e.g. at RIT)
• Manager at Burma Railways
  Also In-charge of Burma Railways Sports

Successors

• Than Lwin succeeded Joe Ba Maung as Singles Champion.
• Maung Maung Lay (Ah Pu Lay) succeeded Than Lwin as Singles Champion.
  He was Burma Doubles Champion with Than Htut.

Female Champions

• Mu Mu Khin
• Jacqueline Tun Shwe
• Ni Ni Chone

Track and Field

Myee Tun Naw

• Burma and SEAP Champion for Marathon.
• Competed in Asian Games and Olympics.

Sin Bwe Gan

• Burma and SEAP Champion for 5000 and 10000 meters.
• Runner up in the Marathon (in the early days)
• Succeeded Myee Tun Naw as Marathon Champion.

Jimmy Crampton

• Won High School (from St. Paul’s) and Inter-Institute tournaments
• Burma and SEAP Champion for 1500 meters.
• 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.
• Editor’s note : 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).

Mra Brothers

• Tun Mra won Gold for 4×100 m relay in 2nd SEAP
  Captain of RU Track and Field Team
• Kyaw Mra won Silver for Hurdles in 2nd SEAP
  Became National Coach
• Soe Mra won Gold for Pole Vault in 2nd SEAP and subsequent SEAP.
• Win Mra, Maung Maung Mra and Aung Mra also excelled in Pole Vault

Female Champions

• Gracie Carr
• Ma Tin Pu,
• Ma Khin Htay
• Jennifer Tin La
• Than Than
• Khin Khin Htwe
• …

Table Tennis

Mao Toon Siong

• Burma Singles and Doubles Champion
• Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Wold Championship
• Served as Coach of the National Table Tennis team.
• Taught Mechanical Engineering at RIT

Successor

• Ba Wai

Boxing

Kyar Ba Nyein

• Competed in Olympics
• Trained young boxers
• Promoted Burmese Martial Arts
• Excellent Checkers (Kyar) player
• Featured in Ludu Daw Ah Mar’s book on “Mandalay Thar and Mandalay Thu”

Champions

• Thein Myint
  Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Olympics
• Tin Tun are Burma Boxing Champions
  Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Olympics

Shwe Yoe (Scott, author and teacher) introduced soccer [football] to Diocesan Boys High School.

BAA (Burma Athletic Association) stadium (aka Aung San Stadium) hosted the First Division matches.
There were League Championship and Dunlop Knock Out Tournament .

For several years, Rangoon University First Eleven competed as a First Division team.

Saya Nyein (Diocesan Alumni) was RU Coach.

U 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 (Captain of the Prome Hall Soccer team & Past Captain of RUBC),
• U Tun Kyi (engineer)
• Collegian Nay Win (Academy winner)
• U Kenneth Shein (father of Ma Pale Shein (ex-UCC))

U Chan Tha’s team won the Inter-Hall Soccer Trophy for two consecutive years. Saya U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) was a star player.

Saya U Myo Myint Sein (A58) was a well-known soccer player.

Ko 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.

At one time, the RU Sports Council conferred University Gold, Blue and Half Blue to eligible students who excel in sports.

Burma Selected (RIT alumni) include

• Ko Kyaw Htin (C67)
• Ko Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, GBNF)
• John Tint (M72, GBNF)

RIT Soccer Selected include

• Ko Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68)
• Ko Myo Nyunt (C69)
• Ko Myint Sein (Jabu)
• Ko Khin Maung Lay (Mutu),
• Sai Thein Maung

Notes

In our days, Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) chaired the RIT Sports Council. Certificates were presented to the RIT sportsmen and sportswomen at the Annual gathering.

U Maung Maung was the Sports Officer at RIT.

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.

On a side note, some people remember “U Thant”, and the once “powerful soccer nation in SE Asia (and beyond)” when they hear the name “Burma”.

Martial Arts

Thaing is a generic name for Burmese/Myanmar Martial Arts.

Thaing comprises of

• Bando (unarmed combat Thaing) and
• Banshay (armed combat Thaing).

Schools

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 astarred in the movie “Thadin Kyut Tawt Myee” along side Jolly Swe.
• U San Maung taught Academy Nyunt Win for “Bando Lugalay Hnit Thuzar”.
  He also performed stunt in several movies.
• Ko Min Din is 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.

Notes :

• There is also a school called “Thaing Byaung Byan” (literally meaning “Reverse Thaing”).
• Dr. Khin Maung U had a leader of that movement as his patient.