ANPSA Dimapur marked 25 years with a two-day sports meet, as Abu Metha urged schools to prioritise sports education
DIMAPUR — The Dimapur unit of All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) marked its 25th anniversary with a two-day sports meet involving 24 schools and more than 400 students at Greenwood School, Dimapur, on Friday.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports.
Chief guest Abu Metha, vice president of the Athletics Federation of India, urged schools, parents and students to treat sport as an integral part of education rather than an extracurricular activity.
Congratulating the association on completing 25 years, Metha paid tribute to its pioneers, saying the event had grown through their commitment and the sacrifices made by the institutions and families involved.
He said sport had a unique ability to bring people together, transcending language and background through a shared pursuit of excellence, discipline and hard work. Expressing confidence that future district, state, national and even international champions were among the participants, he urged them to remain committed and give their best.
Addressing parents, principals and teachers, Metha cautioned against allowing examination pressure and the race for marks to deprive children of the opportunities offered by sports and other creative pursuits. Education, he said, should encompass sport, music, art and academics, while schools should recognise talents beyond the classroom.
Drawing from his own experience as a sportsperson, he said the lessons learnt on the field had helped him navigate challenges in life. He also called on organisers to develop follow-up programmes to identify and nurture promising athletes, stressing that schools were the starting point for building a stronger sporting culture.
Guest of honour Avinuo, commandant of Central Training Institute for Home Guards, Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force, said the sports meet had, over the past 25 years, brought schools together, promoted healthy competition and given students opportunities to showcase their abilities and build friendships.
She reminded participants that sport was about more than medals and trophies, teaching them to accept defeat, compete without hatred, respect opponents and win without arrogance.
“These are qualities that should not end when the final whistle blows, but follow them to classrooms, homes and communities,” she said.
Avinuo added that the future of society depended not only on students’ academic achievements but also on their character, sense of responsibility and willingness to stand up for others. She urged them to take home lessons from the meet beyond certificates and medals.
Special guest Colonel Mandeep Virdi, Commanding Officer of the 1st Girls Nagaland Battalion NCC, described the sports field as a training ground for life, leadership and character.
She said participation in sport helped students develop quick decision-making, adaptability, emotional strength, teamwork and physical and mental stamina — qualities that would prepare them for challenges beyond school.
Virdi encouraged the participants to enjoy the competition, respect their opponents and continue striving to realise their potential.