Kohima, March 31 (EMN): Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Zale Neikha inaugurated the Khelo India Centre (KIC) for hockey at Loyola Higher Secondary School, Jakhama on Thursday.
Addressing the faculty and students at the inaugural function, Neikha said that in order to promote sports and tap budding sportspersons, the present United Democratic Alliance government in the state is initiating policy reforms and emphasising on development of sports infrastructure.
Sports as a discipline has a lot to offer in the present era and it has rightly been remarked as a ‘multi-million industry’, he said.
Neikha expressed gratitude to Loyola school for being the pioneer of hockey and bringing the game this far in the state. As requested by the principal of the Loyola HSS, Fr. William Pinto to help in laying astro-turf at the only hockey ground in the state, the advisor said that he would take it up on priority at the government level.
It is worthwhile to mention that, to this present day, Loyola HSS is the only place where hockey is played in our state. In the past, under the sponsorship of the YRS department, Loyola boys represented the state and participated at the Nehru Hockey Cup and many students have also availed scholarships and participated at National Games and international level, he informed.
Elaborating on KICs, he said the union ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced the scheme of KIC at the district level on June 29, 2020, with a vision to infuse sports culture and achieve sporting excellence in the country and thereby nurture and tap young talented sports persons at the grassroots and also provide effective sports training opportunities, he said.
The ministry has identified 14 sports disciplines for excellence in Olympics such as archery, athletics, boxing, badminton, cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, football and traditional sports, he further added.
Under the KIC Scheme, each centre will be extended with grant-in-aid for remuneration of past champion athlete (coach), support staff, purchase of sport kits and equipment and participation in competitions and events, he informed and added that along with the rest of the country, Nagaland is on a mission to establish and develop 19 KICs, while the department is taking up the opening of eight new KICs for the newly created districts.
Hockey in Nagaland has a very bright future, but now when we look at the present situation there are many things which need to be done and the inauguration of KIC will be the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Hockey in Nagaland, said Neikha.
Meanwhile, the advisor said that in order to bring another golden period for hockey, it should be promoted in the schools and colleges among students.
Neikha also unveiled the KIC hockey plaque and witnessed an exhibition match.
Kohima Deputy Commissioner Gregory Thejawelie, an alumni of the school, said Loyola HSS has been the cradle of hockey in the state and encouraged them to continue the efforts in promoting the game and also participating in the higher level of competitions.
Sports, he said, is not only for leisure but is also immensely important for maintaining good health. He also encouraged sportspersons to follow strict dedication and devote time in order to excel.
Parish priest Jakhama, Fr. Cyprian Lobo said the invocation, while headmistress, Sr. Regita Mary AC delivered the welcome address.
Mention may be made that the physical teacher of Loyola School, Walter D’souza first introduced hockey to its students and after undergoing NIS training, he became a full time coach. Thereby, hockey as a sports discipline was set up in Nagaland in the early 1980s.
This is the only school in Nagaland, which has a proper hockey ground and the students have been representing the state at various levels of competitions, including national and international events.