Our Correspondent | EMN
KOHIMA, AUGUST 8
The 26th Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship organized by Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) got underway here at Kohima Science College Auditorium, Jotsoma on Thursday. Three hundred participants from nine districts will be vying for the winning slots under various categories with 50 officials from both state and national levels monitoring the two-day tournament. L.M. Singh of Taekwondo Federation of India is also here to oversee the championship as Observer. Nagaland minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie, who graced the opening ceremony of the tournament as the chief guest, said that the discipline of taekwondo gained special meaning in Nagaland particularly after P. Silas of the state clinched the lone gold medal at the 33rd National Games at Guwahati in 2007. He expressed pride that the state taekwondo team is now winning medals in different categories at the national level each year. He opined that Nagas, with their strong physique, quick reflexes, stamina and skills, are ideally suited for this sport. Asserting that NTA achieved a milestone when it observed its 25th year anniversary in 2012, the minister also said this reflected the maturity of the association and its sport in the state.
Peseyie said that the state government has identified sports and games as an area where the state has abundance of talent and therefore, special impetus is being applied in this field.
He also said that construction of multi-disciplinary sports facilities are in the pipeline in all the districts of Nagaland. “From a recreational activity to full-fledged career option, sports in India have evolved into viable alternative,” he stated, adding, many academics are being set up with special dedication to impart training in various types of sporting activities.
The minister said that taekwondo being a superior art of self-defence and a technique of mental discipline and respect, the participants should take both their wins and losses in true sporting spirit and make the tournament a launching pad for greater success in future.
He also expressed hope to see Naga taekwondo players making it to the next Asian Games and the Olympics. “The road is rough and tough but not surmountable,” he said.
The two days long taekwondo championship is being hosted by Kohima District Taekwondo Association, the defending champions of the state.
