Former archer and State Sports Coach (Archery), Hunezo Thisa, passed away aged 52 on Saturday morning at his official residence at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR — Former archer and State
Sports Coach (Archery), Hunezo Thisa, passed away on Saturday morning at his
official residence at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima, following illness.
He was 52.
Thisa was serving the Department of Youth Resources and
Sports as the incumbent State Sports Coach (Archery) with many accomplishments
to his name.
He represented the Indian team at the Second Federation Cup
International Archery Competition in 1991 and secured a bronze medal.
At the National Games in 1994, he secured a gold in archery
and earned the distinction of being a national record holder and the first Naga
to achieve gold in the prestigious National Games while representing the state.
At the VIII Sports Festival for the North East Region in
1994, he secured four gold and one silver medal in archery and was named
Individual Champion.
At the IX Sports Festival for the North East Region in 1995,
he won three gold and three silver medals and was again crowned Individual
Champion.
At the XXI North East Sports Festival in 2007, he won two
gold, one silver, and two bronze medals in archery. Between 1988 and 2007, he
also participated in the National and North East Archery Championships.
As a professional coach, Thisa was a recipient of the Sports
Award 2009 by the Government of Nagaland (Department of Youth Resources and
Sports) and the Dr. T. Ao Sports Award in 2018 by the Government of Nagaland.
He participated in the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi
as a technical official. He also participated in the 12th South Asian Games
2016 as a technical official and represented the department at the London
Olympics 2012.
Besides being an archer and coach, he was a national judge
at the Archery Association of India (AAI). He was also a sports administrator
and was the incumbent joint secretary, elected unopposed to the AAI under the
presidency of Arjun Munda for the tenure 2024–28. He also served as convenor of
AAI Athletes Committee.
He also served as joint secretary of the Nagaland Archery
Association and was a founding member of the Phek District Archery Association
(PDAA), where he served as technical advisor.
A send-off service in honour of late Thisa was held at
Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Director of Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose,
in his condolence speech, stated that Thisa joined government service under the
department in 1995.
Sekhose stated that Thisa’s contribution to the department
and the sporting fraternity, particularly in the discipline he was passionate
about, had been widely recognised. He noted that, owing to Thisa’s efforts,
many athletes, especially in archery, had been able to achieve significant
success not only at the state level but also nationally and internationally.
"His contribution in the field of archery has been
immense. Whatever he has contributed to the sporting fraternity of the state
will be cherished forever," stated the director.
Speeches were also delivered by Vezhoto Nakro on behalf of
Thenyizumi Union Kohima, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, president of the Phek District
Archery Association, former archer Vesuzolu, among others.
The mortal remains will be taken to his native village,
Thenyizumi, in Phek district.
Organisations mourn
The Archery Association of India (AAI) mourned the untimely
demise of Thisa, describing him as a valuable colleague and a sincere friend.
AAI president Arjun Munda, in a message, expressed profound
sadness over the untimely demise of Thisa, stating that his passing had left a
deep void in the archery fraternity.
The statement highlighted Thisa’s dedication to the sport,
both as a former national-level archer and a committed official. It noted that
he was not only a dedicated office bearer of the AAI but also a leading figure
in archery in Nagaland. The statement further acknowledged his recognition as a
recipient of the State Sports Awards and his role as an AAI national judge,
officiating at various national, state, and other competitions.
Highlighting his sporting journey, the AAI noted that Thisa
was an active archer from 1988 to 2007 and had represented in key events such
as the National Games, National Championship, North East Archery Championship,
and various sports festivals.
Condoling his demise, Munda prayed that his soul may rest in
peace.
The Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), expressing deepest
condolences, described him as a distinguished sportsman, an accomplished coach,
and a respected administrator.
In a condolence note, the NOA stated that he earned the
distinction of being one of the first gold medallists from Nagaland at the
National Games, achieving this honour in 1994 in Maharashtra.
“Mr. Thisa’s unwavering commitment to the promotion of
archery and sports in Nagaland has left an enduring legacy. His
professionalism, dedication, and vision significantly contributed to the growth
of sports in the state. His presence and leadership will be deeply missed by
the sporting fraternity,” it read.
The association extended heartfelt condolences to the
bereaved family, noting that his legacy would continue to inspire generations
of athletes and sports professionals, and prayed that his soul may rest in
eternal peace.
Nezosa Tetseo, president of the Phek District Sports
Association, in a message, said that they had lost a pioneer, a coach, a
promoter, and a champion in the field of archery. Tetseo described him as a
person who had achieved much for himself, the youngsters of their community,
and the Nagas as a whole.
Stating that Thisa was a person who had dedicated his life
to the promotion of archery in the state and had put Nagaland on the global map
in the field of archery, he said that Thisa's achievements were nothing short
of greatness and a beam of light for the community and the Nagas to cherish. He
added that his contribution and dedication would forever be treasured and
remembered in their hearts in the years to come.
Tetseo expressed that Thisa’s tireless efforts and footsteps
would serve as a pillar of encouragement to the younger generations in the
future.
A file photo of Hunezo Thisa.