Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 29 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday inaugurated the office complex of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) in Kohima, the first such facility in the Northeast.
The NOA office, a six-storey building, is located opposite to the Directorate of Tourism at Officers’ Hill Colony in the state capital and houses many facilities including common facility centre, separate cell for persons with disabilities, rooms for seminars and workshops, gym, cafeteria and other amenities.
Addressing the gathering, Rio said that the facility should help sportspersons in the state and that the government had developed a few sports infrastructure despite resource crunch in order to boost sports.
'This is because we take sports as a priority. The government had invested in sports because we have hope in our youth and in their talent,’ he said, adding that these facilities were set up in the state to help the youths with raw talent compete with others around the world.
Footballer Dr. T. Ao participated in the 1948 Olympics, becoming the first Naga to compete at the event. Archer Chekrovolu Swuro then participated in the Olympics in 2012 after a gap of more than six decades.
'Are we going to wait for decades to produce another Olympian? If the sporting facilities are not a motivation to the youth, than we will have no hope,' Rio said, adding that people will invest only if there is hope.
He challenged sports associations to see that Nagaland produces sportspersons who can compete at any level and requested them to organise games and sports events at the grassroots level. He also expressed hope that there will be Nagaland Olympics this year.
With several initiatives being undertaken by the state government in the field of sports, including the NOA office, Rio believed that Nagaland will be visible in sports a few years from now.
President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Dr. Narinder Druv Batra, who is also the President of International Hockey Federation, said that Nagaland is the first in the Northeast to have Olympic association office. He said that the facilities at the new office will help young people.
Assuring support from Hockey India, he urged the state government to construct a pitch.
Vice president of IOA and president Athletic Federation of India, Adille Sumariwala observed that Nagaland has interest in sports and would produce many sportspersons with proper infrastructure.
Secretary General of NOA, Abu Metha said that the association has come a long way while assuring to reflect the ambition of young Nagas. He informed that there are 22 sports associations affiliated to NOA.
Also speaking at the event, founding president of NOA Lanu Toy said that Nagas are gifted, particularly in music and sports but lamented lack discipline and consistency. He urged the youth to have consistency in whatever they pursue and make use of the facilities, opportunities and talents.
Arjuna awardee and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia lauded Nagaland government for setting up the infrastructure, saying that that only goes to show its commitment and serious desire to promote sports.
Arjuna awardee and FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Champion, Gaurav Gill also urged the people to choose sport as a full-fledged career.
The NOA inaugurated The Talimeren Conference Room, named after the first Naga Olympian Dr. T Ao, inside the office complex to honour him. It also inaugurated Chekrovolu Hall of Motivation in honour of Olympian Chekrovolu Swuro from the state.
The office also houses The Lanu Toy Library in honour of the first president of NOA.
Meanwhile, Arjuna Awardee Swuro, who also was the guest of honour for the event, donated the Archery World Cup gold medal she won at Shanghai, China in 2011 to the Nagaland Olympic Association.