Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 11 (EMN): The 13th Inter-district Catch Them Young Tournament is underway at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima with the Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland, Abu Metha gracing the opening ceremony as special guest.
The director of Youth Resources and Sports, Akumla Chuba said different disciplines are taken up every year and this year there were tournaments in all the 12 districts in three disciplines namely table tennis, badminton and athletics. A total of 1532 children under-14 participated, out of which 590 were girls and 942 were boys.
The director pointed out that Phek district recorded an enrollment of 283 children for athletics. “This shows that Nagas’ love for sports is growing fast and the message that sports is being seen as a profession and not merely as a hobby is quite clear”.
The official informed that at the Inter-district tournament on Thursday, 89 boys and 78 girls participated along with 38 officials.
“Today when we see these young talents standing before us like unpolished diamonds, let us (the stakeholders) try our best to help them reach their highest goals, and help them bring laurels to the state with concerted efforts of the department and the respective associations”, said the director.
On day one, in 100 metre race boys final, Khaidem Elbert from Dimapur district finished the track in 12.81 seconds to take the first position, followed by Tiamongba from Mokokchung district (13.35 seconds) in second place and Khugawibo Ntung from Peren district (13.39 seconds) in third place.
For the 100 metre race girls final, Mehrin Beck from Dimapur district won the first position with 14.42 seconds, Mhachoni Kithan from Wokha district (15.52 seconds) in second place and Thongkoi Y from Noklak district (15.64 seconds) in third place.
In the long jump, K Neshe Maoneau from Peren district took the first position in girl's category with a 3.60 m jump, followed by Rebecca from Kiphire district with 3.54 m and third by Phaam T from Noklak district with 3.53 m.
Meanwhile, Minphong from Mon district with 5.03 metres jump won first position in boys category, Khugawibo from Peren district placed second with 4.99 metres followed by Lukuzo from Phek with 4.70 metres.
Participants from the 12 districts are competing in this tournament, which will culminate on Friday. The closing ceremony will be held at 2 pm and the Secretary for Youth Resources and Sports, Wezope Kenye will grace the occasion as special guest and hand over the prizes to the winners.