Category: Sports

Memories

• When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old nembers rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.

• During our younger days, there is an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas. Contestants range from young Old Members to Past Champions.
• Old Crocs have mini-reunions.
• Some (via their children) share memories.
  U Maung Maung Than Tun (GBNF)
  U Chan Tha (GBNF)
  U Tun Shein
  Jimmy Saw Lwin (GBNF)

U San Maung / Gerald Sein (GBNF)

• Past Secretary and RUBC Gold
• Brothers : Henry, Hardy
• Would find time from his work as Production Manager of “Amotha Yoke Shin”, and come down to RUBC to mentor the members (especially the aspiring Golds).
• Mandate “fixed tub” practice for the members

Dr. Htut Saing / Harry Saing (GBNF)

• Past Captain and Gold of RUBC
• Siblings : Sheila, Victor, Shirley
• Won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with U Tin Htoon
• Won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo with U Tin Htoon, Sunny Teng , Victor Htun Shein and U Sein Htoon

• Usually rowed as Bow
• As an exception, he served as Timing Stroke and Coach for the RUBC Eights in 1962.
  U Win Kyi (RUBC Gold) rowed as No. (7).
  There were seven new Golds in that crew : Myo Tin (William), Htain Linn and Mehm Myo Thaung (Maurice) for the Stroke side, Myo Myint, Oung Kyaing and Thein Aung (Micky Tan) for the Bow side and Tin Aung (Victor Wu, Cox).

• Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick, Past Secretary and Gold of RUBC) and Dr. Htut Saing (Harry) were Pediatric Surgeons at the Rangoon Children Hospital.
  They operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San (conjoined twins)

• Continued working and teaching in Hong Kong.
• Patron of the Hong Kong Rowing and Sailing Club.
• Supported RUBC crews in FEARA Regatta at Hong Kong
• GBNF

U Chan Tha (GBNF)

• Multi-talented athlete.
• Represented the University of Rangoon in Rowing and Soccer.
• Burma Selected in Soccer.
• Past Captain and Gold of RUBC

Wedding of U Maung Maung Than Tun’s Grand Daughter

• There was a mini-reunion of Old Crocs (Old Members of Rangoon University Boat Club) in December 12, 2017.
• Host : Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun (retired Ambassador, Gold, Oldest RUBC Past Captain) and family
• Event: Wedding of U MMTT’s grand daughter (daughter of U Hla Maw Tun, Past Secretary)
• Attendees :
  U Tun Shein (Willie, RUBC Gold),
  Dr. Than Nyun (George, Past Captain and Gold),
  U Tin Htoon (A60, Past Captain and Gold).

Activities

Many attended the Regattas and the meetings of OMA (Old Members Association)

• U Tin U (Most senior Past Captain)
• U Maung Maung Than Tun (Oldest Past Captain)
• Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain)
• U Tin Htut (Past Captain)
• Dr. Than Nyun (Past Captain)
• U Tin Htoon (Past Captain)
• Dr. Tin Wa (Past Captain)
• U Sein Htoon (Past Captain)
• U Thaung Lwin (Past Captain)
• U Htaik San (Henry, Past Captain)
• U Tun Shein (Willie, Past Secretary)
• Dr. Donald Chan (Gold)
• U Tun Aung (George, Gold)
• U Myo Myint (Gold)
• U Than Htut (Gold)
• U Thura Thant Zin (Gold)
• U Thant Kyaw (Gold)
• U Tin Myint (GBNF)
• U Tun Mra
• U Hla Kyi
• U Hla Myint (Michael)

Several contributed articles, photos and financial support for printing the 90th Anniversary Issue, and for reprinting Sir Arthur Eggar’s biography.

Sad to note that there was some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).

• Oldest among the surviving Past Captains of RUBC.
• Retired Ambassador.
• Founding member of Burma Rowing Federation.
• He and his younger son Aung Khine is the first Pair of Father-Son who are Captain and Gold of RUBC.
• His elder son Hla Maw Tun was Gold and Past Secretary of RUBC.
• He is a few months older than U Tin U, most Senior among the surviving Past Captains.
• U Tin U is now the Oldest and most Senior among the surviving Past Captains of RUBC.

Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) was founded by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor) in 1923. He rowed at Cambridge University and popularized the Egg-Bairn rowing style. He was impressed with the prowess of the Burmese Laung rowers and wanted to introduce the Western rowing style to RU students. He pledged a third of his Professor’s salary for running the Boat Club.

In the mid 1950s, Sir Arthur Eggar wrote an autobiography for the Guardian Magazine and was published in three issues.

The early RUBC crews competed against RBC (Rangoon Boat Club), Burmese Laung rowers and the Inlay Leg-rowers.

Sir Arthur was elected Life President of RUBC. A bronze bust was displayed on the Club Promontory (before the Adhamma Era).

His successors include Commodore Than Pe. U Tun Thoung, Sithu U Tin and Saya William Paw.

1963

The 40th Anniversary Regatta was cancelled due to “disturbances” and “security concerns” in 1963.

Sithu U Tin (President) decided NOT to cancel the 40th Anniversary Dinner at Kandawgyi.

Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon compiled the history of RUBC and published in the souvenir program.

2013

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary, U Tin Htoon and several Old Members compiled a Souvenir Magazine.

U Tin Htoon chaired the Souvenir Magazine Sub-Committee.
U Myo Myint was Vice-Chair.
U Htaik San (Henry Kao) was Secretary.

I was a Contributing Editor. I wrote Prelude for every section. I also wrote three articles.

In addition, the group donated towards the cost of reprinting Sir Arthur’s Autobiography (which would be of interest not only to rowing enthusiasts but law students and staff).

Record

• U Maung Maung Than Tun (GBNF) and Aung Khine are the first Father & Son to be Past Captain and Golf Past Captain of RUBC.

• U Sein Htoon & Zeyar Linn are the second Father & Son to be Past Captain and Gold of RUBC).

Zeyar Linn

• He received B.E. (Mech) in 2002.
• He is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC.
• His father U Sein Htoon (M63) is Past Captain (1962 – 63) and Gold of RUBC. He is Past President of Burma Rowing Federation. He coxed the RUBC crew — U Tin Htoon, Dr. Harry Saing (GBNF), U Victor Htun Shein (GBNF) and U Sunny Teng — which won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the ARAE Regatta at Colombo in 1960.
• His father-in-law Saya U Phone Myint (M) is Retired Superintendent of Workshop at RIT.
• He posted photos of his rowing buddies.

U Sein Htoon

Sir Arthur Eggar

Founder & Life President of RUBC

• He was Professor of Law at Rangoon University.
• He founded RUBC in 1923.
• He pledged a third of his salary for the operating expenses of RUBC.

• Sir Arthur Eggar wrote an autobiography in the mid-1950s for the Guardian Magazine (as a series of articles that ran for three months).
• A group of Old Members donated to publish his Autobiography in time for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.

Short Version

The back cover of the RUBC Regatta Program usually displayed the short version of Sir Arthur Eggar’s Rowing Song.

Pull long and steady boys
Strange though it may seem
The hardest stroke won’t send the boat
The swiftest down the stream

If you wish to keep your boat afloat
And brave life’s stormy weather
You must not put your oar too deep
But always “PULL TOGETHER”

Long Version

Inter-Varsity Race

RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) and CURC (Calcutta University Rowing Club) raced on December 13, 1958.

RUBC won the Inter-Varsity race.

Prizes

In the early days, prizes were awarded only to the winners.

• The Senior Novices Winner received a Brooch for bragging rights.
• The Senior Novices Runner-up did not receive a prize, but would likely get a Color.
• The Junior Novices Winner received a prize.

Later, cups of varying sizes or medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze) were awarded to the top three Novice crews.

P Orr Tun Yin sold the cups and medals.

Challenge Cups

The 40th Anniversary Issue and the 90th Anniversary Issue lists the Challenge Cups.

U Nyo donated a huge sum to the Rangoon University Estate. The RU Student Union Building and the RUBC Boat Club were built with his donation.

U Nyo also donated the “U Nyo Cup” for Coxed Eights. It was later replaced by the President’s Challenge Cup.

ARAE Trophies

Venables Bowl (for Coxless Pairs) was won by Dr. Harry Saing (Bow) and Tin Htoon (Stroke) at the 1958 ARAE Regatta held at Calcutta,

Willingon Trophy (for Coxed Fours) was by Dr. Harry Saing (Bow), Victor Htun Shein (2), Sunny Teng (3), Tin Htoon (Stroke) and Sein Htoon (Cox) at the 1960 ARAE Regatta held at Colombo.

RUBC Executive Committee

RUBC used to elect EC at the AGM (Annual General Meeting).

Usually the election is for Treasurer.

However, if there are vacant positions, they are also filled.

RUBC Captain

It usually takes four years to become a Captain.

One gets elected as Treasurer at the AGM.

He becomes Secretary, Vice Captain and Captain at the subsequent AGMs.

Executive Committee Members

(who are not Past Captains)

• U Myint Thein
  Secretary (1951)
  Vice Captain (1952)
• Lawrence Sein Tun Aung
  Secretary (1954)
  Vice Captain (1955)
• U Tha Din
  Treasurer (1957)
• U San Maung (Gerald Sein)
  Secretary (1958)
• U Tun Shein (Willie Saing)
  Secretary (1959)
• U Hla Moe (Han Shein)
  Treasurer (1959)
• U San Aung (Sonny)
  Secretary (1960)
  RU Boxing Champ for Pinweight
• U Mya Maung
  Treasurer (1960)
• L. Than Myint
  Secretary (1961)
• U Than Htut
  Treasurer (1961)
  Secretary (1962)
• U Tin Maung Lwin (1) : Brother of U Tin Maung Latt
  Secretary (1963)
• U Tin Maung Lwin (2) : Kenneth Lwin
  Treasurer (1963)
• U Htain Lin
  Vice Captain (1964)
• U Hla Min
  Treasurer (1964)
  Vice Captain (1965)
  Denied Captaincy by “higher authorities” citing rule change

Not So Good News

For some period

• RUBC Roll of Honor disappeared
  One lists the EC members
  Another lists the RUBC Selected
• Sir Arthur Eggar’s bust disappeared
• The Club House was taken over by a restaurant
• RUBC/YUBC Members had to compete under the umbrella (of Rowing Federation)
• Several universities and institutes do not have quick access to Rowing facilities
• There was no coordination between YUBC and OMA.

Sir Arthur Eggar founded Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) and served as the Life President.

Biography

In the 50’s, he wrote his biography for the Guardian Magazine in three installments.

Several old Crocs donated to reprint Sir Arthur Eggar’s biography in time for the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC.

The donors include

• Saya U Tin Htut
• U Tin Htoon
• Dr. Thein Htut
• Dr. Tin Wa
• U Myo Myint
• U Hla Min
• U Thura Thant Zin
• U Htaik San (Henry)
• Daw Joe Phyu

The biography was printed along with the Commemorative Issue for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC. I served as Contributing Editor for the Commemorative Issue. I wrote three articles and Preludes for all the sections.

Trips to Burma

On the first trip, Sir Arthur came to Burma and served as a Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Rangoon.

He returned to the UK. After becoming a lawyer and serving in the Middle East, Sir Arthur returned to Burma as a Law Advisor to the Burmese Government and as Professor of Law.

He founded Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) in 1923. He pledged a third of his salary (as Professor of Law at Rangoon University) for use by RUBC. He was elected as Life President of RUBC.

He donated a Pewter Trophy to be presented to the winner of the Senior Novices event.

Sir Arthur rowed at Cambridge University. He is credited for proposing the Egg-Bairn rowing style.

Autobiography

He wrote his biography for the monthly Guardian Magazine (in three installments).

In 2013, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Myint, U Htaik San and team compiled a Commemorative Issue to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.

I was a Contributing Editor for the Issue. I wrote Preludes for each section. I also wrote three articles.

In addition, U Tin Htoon invited selected Old Members (mostly RUBC Gold and some Past Captains) to contribute to the re-printing and distribution of Sir Arthur’s autobiography. The intended audience include present and past members of RUBC, and also teachers, students and practitioners of Law.

Saya U Tin Htut, U Tin Htoon, Dr. Thein Htut, Dr. Tin Wa, Dr. Donald Chan, U Myo Myint, U Hla Min, U Thura Thant Zin, U Htaik San (Henry), and Daw Joe Phyu responded.

Bronze Bust

RUBC repaid the metta and cetana of Sir Arthur Eggar by displaying his Bronze Bust on the Club Promontory.

Sadly, during the Adhamma Era, the Bronze Bust of Sir Arthur Eggar disappeared from the Club Promontory.

Rowing Songs

There are at least two Rowing songs. The one printed at the back of the Agenda for the RUBC Regattas is as follows.

Pull long and steady bows
Strange though it may seen
The hardest stroke won’t send the boat
The swiftest down the stream.

If you want to keep the boat afloat
And brave life’s stormy weather
You must not put your oar too deep
But always “Pull together“.

Male Tennis Players

• Tun Aung — 1st SEAP Games
• Victor Pe-Win — 1st SEAP Games
• Joe Ba Maung
• Than Lwin
• Tin Si
• Khin Si
• Pe Than Maung
• Thein Tun (Robert)
• Biak Cin
• Maung Maung Lay (Ah Pu Lay)
• Than Htut
• Aung Htay
• Tin Aung Cho
• Khin Maung Aye
• Khin Maung Chone

Female Tennis Players

• Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Dok)
• Joy Hla Pe
• Jacqueline Tun Shwe
  • Daw Hla Tin
• Ni Ni Chone

• The RUBC Team won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE (Amateur Rowing Association of the East) Regatta held at Colombo.
  
• Photo (L to R) :
  
  U Tin Htoon (Stroke),
  Past Captain, Compiler for 40th Anniversary Magazine, Chair for 90th Anniversary Magazine
  
  Sunny Teng (3),
  Left before graduation to US and/or Canada
  
  U Sein Htoon (Cox),
  Past Captain, Retired as President of Burma Rowing Federation
  
  Victor Htun Shein (2),
  Joined BAF, Perished in an air crash
  
  Dr. Harry Saing (Bow),
  Past Captain, Operated along side Dr. Pe Nyun on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San,
  Retired as Professor / Pediatric Surgeon in Hong Kong,
  Passed away (and his ashes are scattered near the HK Yachting and Sailing Club).

Comments

• Tin Htoon and Harry Saing won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta.
  They were chosen as members of the Olympic Torch Relay Team for the Rangoon Leg.
  
• Tin Htoon and Hla Khin won Silver for Yatching at SEAP Games.
  

• Harry Saing is a Multiple Sports Athlete.
  He represented Burma in Rowing, Hockey and Cricket.
  He represented the Faculty of Medicine in Track & Field, and Soccer. — He is a Pediatric Surgeon.