Captain Imochaoba recounts his NCC practice days at the THAU Felicitation ceremony
India’s First & Only Hot Air Balloon Pilot & Delhi Ratna Awardee, Capt. Imochaoba Singh recently attended a felicitation program organised in his honour by the THAU Sports Complex. Mr N Ranjit Singh, THAU President & Mr Imotombi Singh, Advisor to THAU, offered him a gracious welcome to the event.
The felicitation ceremony also saw the attendance of many sports personalities and athletes. They were gathered to lend an ear to Capt. Imo’s address and views on India’s Aero Sports culture and initiatives. They drew huge inspiration when he recalled the NCC days of his childhood when he visited the THAU sports complex and did his practices over there. He stated in his address that attending a felicitation program in his honour years later was a nostalgic and heartwarming moment for him.
Capt. Imo’s address received an incredible response and instilled a sense of vigour and motivation in athletes who are slated to represent India from The Club in Manipur.
Expressing his views, Capt. Imo said, “It is a truly an ineffable moment for me as I used to train and do practices in the THAU complex since my NCC days. It will always have a special place in my heart because it gave an initial push to my career in my budding phase. Coming back here is an emotional moment as I recount all my hard, toiling yet beautiful training days.”
In his prestigious career, he had not only flown with many acting and former Chief Ministers of Indian States including Haryana, M.P, J&K and International Dignatories, but he has also represented India at 24th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship from 16th to 23rd September 2022, at Murska, Sobota Airport, Slovenia.
He was also awarded the Delhi Ratna Award by Bharat Manch for his outstanding contribution to Hot Air Balloon and Aero sports in India in his career spanning over three decades.
Currently, he is working as the Technical Expert/Advisor on Aero Sports Base in Damdama Lake, Faridabad, Tourism Dept. of Govt. of Haryana.
