Nagaland
Nagaland to introduce sports policy soon
Our Correspondent
Khulazu Basa, Jan. 8 (EMN): With an aim to provide better job opportunity for the athletes and sportspersons in the state, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)–led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government will soon introduce the Nagaland sports policy.
The advisor of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Zale Neikha, announced the government’s new initiative at the inaugural function of the 4th Thevonü memorial trophy held at Khulazu Basa village in Phek district on Jan. 8. The main aim was to provide job opportunities to the deserving sportspersons, he said.
Presently, the sports qouta has been fixed at maximum 5%, that too only in the police and YRS department. However, the new policy will be fixed at minimum 5% and above, providing more job opportunities to the sportspersons from the state.
Asserting that unemployment is one of the biggest issues in the state, Neikha urged the gathering to take up business and sports as their professions. He said that it is not feasible to provide white collar jobs to the exceeding number of graduates per year. He advised the young people to chose their area of interest and pursue with hard work and sacrifice. “Lack of descipline” is the reason why Nagas failed to succeed in sports, he added.
Also, referring to the friendship between the two areas – Southern Angami and the Chakhesang’s Chokri, he said that they must always remember to encourage, and support each other in times of need. The “special friendship” must go beyond games and sports, he said.
He acknowledged the pioneers of the tournament, particularly Thevonü and Sahu, upon whose close friendship, the foundation of the two areas began. He appealed the gathering to seek help and also extend help to each other, if so required.
Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, member of legislative assembly, also spoke at the event. He said that the tournament was introduced in 1947 after the death of Thevonü. He was of the view that the tournament is not about winning but about keeping the brotherhood alive among the people of the two areas.
Earlier, Vice president of the Japfüphiki Chokri Dzevi Krotho (JCDK) Tavehü Thingo, who presided over the inaugural function, gave a brief history of the Thevonü trophy. He also informed that JCDK was formed in 2011 as a parent body to oversee both the Chokri Area Games and Sports Association (CAGSA) and Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA). He urged the gathering to keep in mind that “we are all brothers and sisters by blood.”
Southern Angami Public Organisation President Neiketu Kiso attributed forefathers for developing a sort of ‘special friendship’ upon which the match stands as a sign of peace and unity (between the tribes). ‘We are able to celebrate the bondage today,’ he added, and requested the participants to keep up the friendship.
President of the Chokri Area Public Organisation (CAPO), Sülüpoyi Swiho said that it’s not about competition and winning but to nurture brotherhood; get to know each other; and be there for each other in times of trouble.