[caption id="attachment_230611" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Bhaichung Bhutia interacts with students, unseen in the image, during the inauguration of YouthNet’s hospitality programme, in Kohima on Jan. 28.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 28 (EMN):Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia inaugurated a hospitality programme of capacity building group YouthNet, as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana scheme, at the Made in Nagaland Centre in Kohima, on Jan. 28. The scheme is of the ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
Speaking about the hospitality industry, Bhutia, who is also an advisor to the NGO, felt that the Northeast youths “dominate hospitality sector in India.” In fact, one can spot youths from the Northeast in hotel management, aircraft, tourism and related sectors, he said. The reason for the NE youths’ heavy presence in this industry is because “we are really good at it,” Bhutia remarked. He was of the view that the youngsters from the region are confident and ‘good looking.’ He pointed to the scope of the hospitality industry in the field of sports.
The football icon asserted “everything comes from a bit of hard work” and that nothing comes easy. Success is all about “doing from your heart,” he said. Interacting with students about the challenges he faced in his career, Bhutia said “it takes step by step” and “play from your heart.” He advised them not to think they can’t do it, but to “keep playing, keep working, even if you don’t get picked up.”
Recounting his childhood days, where he grew up without basic amenities, such as roads and electricity, Bhutia said that ‘being brought up in a remote place should not stop one from achieving his goal.’ He was of the view that the sports departments should ‘push a bit more’ on their part in encouraging young talents.
‘We don’t see under-16 or 18, and girls’ participation in football,’ he observed. He is optimistic that the Nagaland government is picking up it pace in identifying young talents.
Co-founder and chief executive officer of the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), Kishore Taid also spoke during the event. In a short speech, he asked the students to “always do what you’re passionate about and you’ll enjoy that the most.” Nothing can stop a person from doing what they love, he said. He felt that there were a good degree of talent in the Northeast, and that “we just have to hard work and be passionate about it,” as it is “just a matter of opportunity.” He pointed out also that the Delhi-based BBFS aims at identifying young talents and to provide the right platform to them. At the moment, BBFS has presence in 18 cities in India.
Further, the founder of YouthNet, Hekani Jakhalu said in her introductory note at the event that the main idea behind the hospitality programme was to “see how we (YouthNet) can take Northeast forward.” She thanked Bhutia for inaugurating the programme and described him as the “Most humble,” “grounded,” and a person with “never say die attitude.”
The director of YouthNet, Lezo Putsure also said that more than 37, 000 youths have been trained by YouthNet in its 13 long years. The target for this year is to train 760 young people, he said. Students from various schools in Kohima attended the event.
