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Zale Neikha being introduced to players at the ongoing Nagaland open table tennis championship in Kohima on Wed. Oct. 17. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima Oct. 17 (EMN): The 23rd inter-district cum Nagaland open table tennis championship got underway at the indoor table tennis stadium in Kohima, with Zale Neikha, advisor for youth resource & sports as the special invitee.
Neikha in his speech said that Nagas are second to none when it comes to sports but the lack of discipline sets them a level below from the rest.
Taking the example of the athletes from neighbouring Manipur who have brought laurels not only to the state but the country as well, he said all the physical attributes are all similiar between the athletes of the two states but he said, Naga athletes do not maintain a healthy regime. He also said Naga athletes also tend to become complacent with small achievements and cannot stick to one sports or profession and try to become masters in several sports at one go.
He also encouraged the players by stating that there were ample employment opportunities through sports in both government and private sector by citing the example of Chekrovolu Swuro, the noted Naga Olympian and Mary Kom, the star pugilist from Manipur.
Neika also asked all the participants to give their best and compete in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. He was accompanied by N. Bongkhao Konyak, advisor DUDA.
Eight teams representing various districts are participating in the championship. The inter-district championship is organised by the Kohima District Table Tennis Association (KDTTA) in collaboration with the Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA). The championship will culminate on Oct. 19.