[caption id="attachment_247011" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Students from 13 colleges taking part in parade during the opening ceremony of first inter-government college Olympic 2019 at the Kohima College ground on May 2.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 2 (EMN): The first inter-government college Olympic 2019 got underway under the theme ‘bridging the gaps’ at Kohima College on May 2.The three-day event is organised by the department of Higher Education and hosted by Kohima College.
The main objective of the event was to develop unity and bring all the colleges together through a common platform of sports, said Dr Watijungshi, convener, planning committee and additional director of Higher Education. The event will also identify outstanding sportspersons and help them to compete at the national and international level, the convener added.
Minister of Higher and Technical Education Temjen Imna Along, who graced the opening ceremony as the chief patron, described the event as ‘historic.’ The fact is that many similar events may come and go, but ‘you are the participants of the first Olympic,’ he said.
‘The sportsmanship that you (students) have and the dreams that you will inculcate in this Olympic will take you a long way in building the future of our people,’ Along said.
The minister cautioned them (students) to check attitude and laziness; and that their success will be determined by the grace of God, their sportsmanship, discipline, handwork, and attitude towards the games they take part in the next three days. He said neither the present circumstances and problems nor tribes and caste will determine their excellence.
‘Despite the negligence and the kind of infrastructure provided to the students, they have performed with “pride and self justification.” It conveys the message that they will live strongly and not yield to cowardice or all sorts of sarcastic and hypocrites that we live in. Students had shown that they want peace, progress, and development,’ he said.
The minister urged them to excel not only at the college level but also at the national and international level too. “Let the country know that we are in the same country and we shall build and infuse our attitude of positivity and progress in this nation,” Along said.
‘The PDA government has envisioned for the Naga youth and have chartered out various programmes to follow. The Olympic is one such programme. Youth are the future. This government will in all its endeavours try to bring out the excellence of the youth in the days to come,’ he added.
Advisor of Rural Development Dr Neikiesalie Kire in his address urged the students to choose a discipline that they are good at - a field they can excel instead of participating in all sports and games. It is the four Ds—dedications, determination, discipline, and devotion that will take you a long way, he said.
He also encouraged them to come out and socialise besides taking their work seriously. One plays to win; above all participation is all that matters at the end of the day, the advisor said.
Dinesh Kumar (IAS), Commissioner and Secretary of H&TE said that the event was one of the innovative ideas of minister Along. It is to encourage spirit of sportsmanship and competition among the students, he added. He suggested that similar activities and co-curricular activities be included in the future.
Earlier, Dr Kire flagged off the Olympic race from MLA hostel junction to Kohima College held early in the morning. The oath taking was handled by Engineer Hotovi Ayemi, member of the Planning Committee and the students of the host college presented ‘circle of life’ choreography and dance, drill display, and songs.
More than 700 students from 13 government colleges spread across the state are competing in three-day event at various locations in Kohima. The students are competing in several disciplines, including athletics, javelin, discus, shot put, high jump, long jump, football, volleyball, badminton and table tennis.
As part of the programme, a concert featuring local artists will be held on May 3 from 6:30 pm onwards at Kohima College. The concert is organised by the Higher Education department in collaboration with Music Task Force.
Nagaland Governor PB Acharya will be the principal guest on the second day of the event , and advisor of Skill Development, Labour & Employment Kazheto Kinimi will be the special invitee. The Olympic will culminate on May 4.
