Neiphiu Rio speaks after inaugurating the North East Cricket
Development Council office in Sovima on Thursday.
DIMAPUR — In a
significant moment for cricket in the Northeast, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio,
who also serves as the Convenor of the North East Cricket Development Council
(NECDC), inaugurated the newly established NECDC office at the Nagaland Cricket
Stadium, Sovima in Chümoukedima, on Thursday.
The inauguration was held alongside the closing ceremony and
prize distribution of the 3rd NECDC Senior Men's Interstate Friendship Cricket
Tournament 2025, where Meghalaya emerged victorious, defeating the host team
Nagaland by 110 runs.
Addressing the gathering after the final match, Rio extended
his congratulations to Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) for successfully
organising the tournament and praised the participating teams for displaying
high standards of sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
Recalling the journey of Northeast cricket, Rio described
the formation of the NECDC as a long and difficult road, marked by “hardships,
struggles, sacrifices, and even humiliation.” He noted that despite facing
numerous setbacks, the collective effort of the Northeast states in pushing for
representation and development in cricket had paid off.
“The challenges didn’t break us — they made us stronger,
more united, and more resilient,” Rio said, thanking the Lodha Committee and
BCCI for eventually recognising and affiliating the Northeastern cricket
associations.
Rio shared a poignant memory of attending a BCCI meeting
years ago in his capacity as the president of the Nagaland Cricket Association,
only to be ignored due to lack of official affiliation.
“Our presence was not even acknowledged,” he said. “But by
the grace of God, and after nine years, we are now in a position where our
voices are heard, and our teams are playing competitive cricket at the national
level.”
Youth development
Rio underscored the role of sports infrastructure in
developing young talent, stating that the Nagaland Cricket Stadium was
initially built using state government funds due to the absence of external
support. Today, that dream has materialised, and the stadium stands as a symbol
of progress, he said.
The chief minister revealed that the indoor cricket stadium
at the venue is ready for inauguration by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra
Modi, signalling national recognition of the state’s sporting ambitions.
He underlined the state government’s commitment to creating
platforms for youth engagement, ensuring that cricketers from Nagaland and the
Northeast are given the same opportunities as their counterparts in other parts
of India.
Rio also highlighted the need for discipline, hard work, and
consistency to improve performance and bring more accolades to the region.
“Sometimes we are beating top states in cricket. That shows we have talent. But
to compete consistently, we need more dedication and structured training,” he
said.
Focus on women’s cricket
Rio called upon all Northeastern states to invest in and
promote women’s cricket, emphasising that female athletes have equal potential
and opportunity. “There is a lot of untapped talent among our girls, and we
need to ensure they have the right training and encouragement,” he said.
Cricket as a catalyst for change
In a brief speech, Abu Metha, Vice President of the Athletic
Federation of India, commended Rio’s leadership in transforming the cricket
landscape of the Northeast. He called Rio the “brain behind NECDC,” whose
vision and persistence brought the council to life.
Metha described cricket as more than just a game — an
education, a test of teamwork and individual strength. Reflecting on the past,
he recalled that associations from Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram,
and Arunachal Pradesh were once treated as second-class citizens in Indian
cricket.
“There was a time when we were not allowed to participate in
BCCI’s Annual General Meetings. We were asked to leave the room,” he said.
“Today, every cricketer from Meghalaya to Arunachal, from Aizawl to Kohima, is
playing top-flight cricket. That is the result of the perseverance and
sacrifices of our pioneers.”
Call for greater support from BCCI
Metha urged the BCCI to increase support for the six
Northeastern cricket associations. While they currently receive INR 17.5 crore
annually, he pointed out that cricket is an expensive sport and much more is
needed in terms of infrastructure, coaching, and talent nurturing.
“If the BCCI wants to use cricket as a unifying force in
India, the Northeast must be empowered with more resources,” he said. “The
potential is immense, but the support must match it.”
He cited the example of local cricketers earning INR 1.6
lakh per match in the Ranji Trophy — significantly more than local footballers
in the state’s top leagues — as a demonstration of the opportunities cricket
can provide.
Short addresses were delivered by N Bhattarcharjee,
Co-convener of NECDC and President of the Meghalaya Cricket Association, and M
Khairul Jamal Majumdar, Member of the Apex Council, BCCI.
The welcome address was given by Kechangulie Rio, Honorary
President of the Nagaland Cricket Association, who acknowledged the support
from all stakeholders and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to elevating
cricket in the region.
The inauguration of the NECDC office and the conclusion of
the successful 3rd NECDC Senior Men's Interstate Friendship Tournament marked a
new milestone in the growth of cricket in Northeast India.
