The Department of Youth Resources and Sports launches Mentorship and Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for student-athletes in Kohima.
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KOHIMA — The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) launched the Mentorship and Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for student-athletes of the Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Academy at Hall A of the IGS in Kohima on Tuesday.
Addressing the launch programme, Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports Anthony Ngullie described the initiative as a significant step towards ensuring the overall development and future security of athletes enrolled at the academy.
Ngullie said the department had long deliberated on the need for structured mentorship and skill development for athletes, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds across the state. He noted that while athletes strive to excel in sports and academics, some face challenges that affect their performance and personal growth.
To address these concerns, the department has introduced a mentorship framework under which each mentor will be assigned 10 to 12 athletes from different age groups and sporting disciplines. The mentors will provide guidance not only in sports and academics but also in lifestyle and personal development.
“Through closer interaction, mentors will be able to identify challenges faced by the students and help them become better performers in sports, academics and life,” said Ngullie.
Highlighting the importance of planning for life after competitive sports, he pointed out that athletic careers are often limited by age and performance factors. The department, he said, therefore felt it necessary to equip athletes with practical skills that could provide alternative livelihood opportunities in the future.
Stressing the growing importance of vocational skills, Ngullie encouraged young people to acquire practical competencies that can help them become self-reliant. He also urged athletes to use technology responsibly and avoid excessive dependence on mobile phones and online activities.
Sharing a success story from an earlier skill-training initiative, Ngullie recounted how a participant who underwent mobile phone repair training later opened a repair shop in Kohima and is now successfully supporting his family.
He expressed confidence that the new programmes would have a lasting impact and urged both mentors and athletes to work together to ensure their success.
A brief note on the initiatives was presented by Naroenla, Youth Resources and Sports Officer, who stated that the programmes aim to equip athletes with the knowledge, skills, values and opportunities needed to succeed both in sports and in life.
She informed that the mentorship programme, which will run until March 2027, will involve 11 mentors, including Ngullie, who will guide student-athletes in areas such as academic progress, physical and mental well-being, discipline, life skills and career awareness.
According to her, the programme seeks to create a supportive environment where athletes feel encouraged to overcome challenges and realise their full potential.
Naroenla also announced the launch of the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme, designed for athletes above 15 years of age. Scheduled to commence on June 11 and continue until October, the programme will provide training in five vocational fields—mobile phone repair, crocheting and eco-making, food processing and baking, basic architecture, and floristry and floral arrangement.
The training modules will combine expert-led instruction with self-learning components and will also include sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, marketing, customer relations and small business management.
She said the initiative seeks to prepare athletes for life beyond sports by providing them with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.
Delivering the welcome address, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources and Sports, said the department has been able to undertake innovative programmes under the leadership of Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of the department, Neiphiu Rio, and Advisor Keoshu Yimkhiung.
Sekhose said the department plans to implement around 31 programmes this year across the state and beyond, covering sports development, coaching and adventure activities. He noted that the mentorship programme was conceived after observing that some student-athletes struggled academically and required greater support beyond sports training.
Under the initiative, the designated officers will be directly responsible for monitoring not only the academic progress of athletes but also their welfare, health and overall development.
The director added that the economic sustenance programme builds on the department’s experience in implementing skill-development initiatives under PMKVY 4.0, which enabled several youths to become self-employed.
“Not everyone can secure a government or formal sector job. By equipping our athletes with practical skills, we hope they will be able to stand on their own feet even after their sporting careers,” he said.
Sekhose informed that the skill development initiative will initially be implemented as a pilot project and will also be open to former athletes associated with the academy.
During the programme, Veculu Thisa, Girls' Warden, IG Academy, offered a prayer while Stella Mozhui, Centre Manager for Skill Development.