MOKOKCHUNG, OCTOBER 10: A two-day silver jubilee celebration of Mokokchung District Martial Arts Association (1991-2016) kicked off on a high note with Alemtemshi Jamir, former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, as the chief guest at Multi-Purpose Hall, Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest underscored that martial is not just for fighting but it is for survival as it involves physical, mental and spiritual strength of men. He said martial art was born as a natural outcome of men’s desired to survive against animals, nature calamity and enemies. He, therefore, said it is not something strange for the Nagas if we back into our history of warriors folklore who were all martial artists.
Alemtemshi said martial art should not be misunderstood that it is against religion and technology. To substantiate his statement, he cited famous personalities from the Bible such as David, Caleb, and Joshua who fought for God.
While cautioning that martial arts can either be very positive or negative for the society, he said martial arts should be used for the betterment of the society.
Stating that Ao community is going through a period of confusion, he underscored the need for the people to remain strong physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and appealed the young people to rebuild the Ao society in line with how the martial art was built.
Reminiscing his days as DC in Mokokchung, Alemtemshi recounted that Mokokchung district was full of talents- full of musicians and artistes and above all, there was full of martial artist groups.
“You just could not help but admire the qualities present in the youth of Mokokchung in those days,” he said. He said it was during that period Mokokchung District Martial Art Association was formed.
Congratulation the MDMAA members, who have struggled hard over 25 years to sustain and build the Martial Arts Association, he expressed that the future is bright for MDMAA. He also encouraged MDMAA to keep attention not only to build up young boys and girls in martial arts but also impart the courage and spirituality to build a better society.
He also said Sports has a tremendous potential to acquire fame, glory, honour and wealth and as a martial artist there is potential to bring glory to the people. He, therefore, encouraged the young martial artist aspirants to go ahead with their vision.
While pointing out that it is a competitive world with equal opportunities, he said we have prove ourselves best to survive and added that martial art should also be the approach in that direction.
Earlier, the chief guest released the jubilee souvenir and memento and felicitated the pioneers and medal winners at international level, which was followed by the declaration open of the MDMAA Open Tournament (mixed tournament for different martial art disciplines).
Short speeches were tendered by the Deputy Commisisoner, Mokokchung, Shushil Kumar Patel, and the District Sports Officer K Libemo Jami. Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Ponen, Pastor MTBA, and the welcome address was tendered by Alemyanger, president MDMAA.
It is to be mentioned here that the first seed leading to the formation of MDMAA was sown when Alemtemshi Jamir, former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, was the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung.
Today, MDMAA caters to seven martial art disciplines namely, Karate, Kick-boxing, Boxing, Inside Kung-fu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Kung-fu.
