Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 28 (EMN): Nagaland Archery Association (NAA) on Saturday felicitated archers and coaches from the state who won medals at the recently concluded Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Northeast Sports Festival 2022 and 1st Khelo India Archery Tournament NE held at Imphal from April 27 to May 3rd.
The total medal tally from both the competitions was 27 including four gold, two silver, and 21 bronze.
During the 1st Khelo India Archery Tournament NE held on May 1, the archers secured seven medals in total -- three gold, two silver and two bronze. The gold medallists were Kevikieno Rikha (senior reserve), Thenuhielie Metha (senior compound), and Nikesa Sakhrie (sub-junior compound). The silver medals were secured by Kilenmeren (senior recurve) and Vesevolu Swuro (junior), while Rovine Domeh (senior recurve) and Ruovinuo Theunuo secured a bronze medal each.
In the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav NE Sports Fest held from April 27 to May 3, Edikunu Rikha secured a gold medal in the individual Olympic round. The archers also secured bronze medals in all three categories -- women's team, men's team, and mixed team -- each of recurve and compound division, taking the total tally to 19.
A total of 16 archers and three coaches representing Nagaland state participated in the events.
Meanwhile, congratulating the archers for bringing laurels to the state, Neiphrezo Keditsu, NAA President, said a big milestone had been achieved. He requested the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and the department of Youth Resource and Sports to continue extending support to the association and archers even in the days to come.
He lauded the government for taking up developmental activities to improve sports in Nagaland and also informed that a full-fledged academy of archery in Dimapur is in the process. With it, the future of archers in the state is bright, he said.
He stated that winning at the Northeast-level is just one step and encouraged them to compete in the national and international arena. The results produced showed that they have the potential to become a leader in their own field, he added.
Joint Secretary NOA, Kuputo Shohe said, “Nagas have inborn talent that we take for granted. The lack of infrastructure kept us behind others for a long time, but with the spirit of sportsmanship burning in us, we are second to none”.
NWA Advisor, Neivikuolie Nicholas Khatsu, said, “Archery by nature is a clean sport and their assets are very daring. Every sportsperson needs physical fitness and toughness. But archery needs more mental toughness which sort of balances”.
He further encouraged them to be disciplined and dedicate themselves. 'If you are good at your own discipline, opportunities will come knocking’, he said and informed that the department is working hard to bring about a sports policy. In the policy, there is 5% reservation for sportspersons. Therefore, once it is passed, sportspersons will be able to apply in government departments, he added.