Chozuba: The 37th meet of the Phek District Sports Association (PDSA) got underway at Chozuba Town in Phek district on Tuesday with Advisor of CAWD and Taxes, Kudecho Khamo attending the inaugural session as the special guest.
Khamo, in his address, said a sports person requires discipline with lots of training while also maintaining integrity at the highest level to be morally acceptable and successful.
He exhorted the players not to play for the sake of participation but to compete in their career and life to become professionals in every walk of life.
He congratulated Sezovelu Dozo from Sepaktakraw for winning bronze medal at the 35th King's Cup championship and other players from the district who won medals at international and national levels, Northeast Olympic Games and Nagaland Olympics, while he encouraged the youth and the sports persons to take their life seriously in the various disciplines, stating that they are the future of the society.
He pointed out that Nagaland under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), is giving priority to sports and sportspersons for the promotion of sports and asserted that there is a prospect and future.
He also informed that the state will also be hosting the Northeast Olympic Games and exuded hope that the state sports persons will win more than a hundred medals. He also added that the state is looking forward to bidding to host the national games soon.
He called upon the youth to be change makers, be serious, to have vision, goals and plans for the future while also venturing into entrepreneurship rather than focusing on government jobs alone.
Meanwhile, guest of honour MLA Dr. Neisatuo Mero, in his speech, congratulated the PDSA for convergence of Chakhesang and Pochury communities to compete in the district-level sports and wished for more such platforms.
He also lauded the players who have won medals from various disciplines at various levels, while he told the youth to have the will to turn their love for sports into a profession.
Further, Dr. Mero told the sportspersons to utilise their ABCDs -- Ability (skills), Boldness, Consistency and Discipline -- in punctuality, training, practices and dieting, which he said are important to be champions.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]PDSA General Secretary, Solomon Ritse introduced the group champion prize -- Late Vamuzo Memorial Trophy -- with a running cash award of INR 2,00,000 sponsored by family members.
The PDSA also felicitated various medal winners from the district with cash award and citations.
Notably, the PDSA also felicitated Surhoneyi Soho for his outstanding achievement for participating in the PDSA meet as a player for 25 years on the occasion.
Earlier welcome address was delivered by Vekhruto Nyekha, President Chozuba Areas Sports Association (CASA), invocation was said by Vekusa Nyekha, Pastor CTBC and the programme was chaired by Vekhozo, Advisor PDSA.
The meet will culminate on April 15.
On day-1, Chozuba Area Sports Association leads the table tally with 12 medals (five gold, three silver and four bronze. Chokri Area Sports and Games Association is in second with four gold, four silver and two bronze totaling 10 medals.
Central Chakhesang Sports Association with five medals totalling two gold and three silver is in third.
Interestingly, Choyivelu Nienu of Phek Area Sports Association (PASA) broke the 2013 record in long jump for women's category. Her best throw of 4.48 m broke the previous record of 2013 hold by Khotsolü from Chozuba Area Sports association with 4.45m (14.7 ft) in the year 2013.
In men's high jump, Nagaland's best high jumper Eto Kezo representing CAGSA defended his title to secure the first gold with a jump of 6.09 m. The second was Ruvezo Rose of (CAGSA) with 1.80 metres and third with Yhoto Lohe (CASA) with 1.80 metres.
The 2nd Naga-style category wrestling competition was also held and here are the lists of winners.