KOHIMA, OCTOBER 11: The three-day XII Inter District & State Table Tennis Championship 2016 got underway with the inaugural programme held at Indoor Table Tennis Stadium, Kohima this morning.
Altogether one hundred players from the district of Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung are vying for the champion’s title. The championship has been organised by the Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA) and hosted by the Kohima District Table Tennis Association (KDTTA).
Gracing the inaugural programme as the chief guest, secretary for Land Resources department, Y Kikheto Sema, (IAS) described Table Tennis as a great stress reliever, which is also friendly and cost effective too, unlike other games.
Disappointed that the state could produce only two Olympians till date – Late Dr Tali Ao and Chekrovolu Swuro – Sema emphasised that awareness needs to be created about our sports personalities, which can be incorporated in the school syllabus.
Citing examples of sports personalities of Manipur who participated in the recently concluded Olympics, Sema maintained that Nagas are no less than anyone both in physical fitness and talent. Therefore, he said people need to learn from the neighbouring states and take sports seriously as a career, which has wide and better prospects.
The pledge-taking was led by the Chief Umpire, Dr Asalie Khezie followed by the introduction of the players.
