The 78 Battalion CRPF organises a state-level half marathon under SPANDAN at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.
DIMAPUR — A state-level half marathon was held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Monday, organised by the 78 Battalion CRPF, Sechü-Zubza, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Government of Nagaland under the banner ‘SPANDAN’.
Director General of Police Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, who attended the occasion as the chief guest, called the event a unique occasion, as 3,000 runners across the state participated in three different categories for both men and women, setting the best timing at about one hour seven minutes.
According to a DIPR report, Sharma expressed hope that the winners will continue to participate in such events and appealed to the SAI to select the best talents for participation in long-distance and middle-distance running. He also expressed hope that the top participants will be sponsored and selected by the Sports Authority for coaching to participate as international-level runners. The DGP was optimistic that such an event would become a regular feature to create a platform for the youth of the state.
Delivering the welcome address, Commandant of 78 Bn CRPF, Deven Bhosle, explained that SPANDAN (Sports for Peace and Development Across Nations) is an initiative under the ‘Hello India Scheme’ by the Sports Authority of India to provide financial and technical assistance to Central Armed Police Forces, like the CRPF and BSF, to promote peace, physical fitness, national integration, youth engagement, and social harmony through community sports in border and conflict-affected regions.
The core objective of SPANDAN is to foster social harmony, organise a grassroots sports culture, and promote youth development across multiple regional disciplines, including football, badminton, and volleyball, alongside half marathons, he added.
Bhosle stated that the half marathon is a collective stride towards building a healthier, united society, representing the shared commitment to fostering community harmony, empowering the youth, and voicing a collective stance for peace and national integration.
A total of 3,000 runners from across the state participated across three different age group categories. Cash prizes of INR 30,000, INR 20,000, INR 15,000, and INR 10,000, along with INR 5,000 each for runners-up placed fifth to tenth, were awarded to the winners alongside medals.
In the Male category for ages 18 to below 30 years, the winners were Shiangjiu, Elanthung, and Temjensanem, respectively, while in the Female category for ages 18 to below 30 years, the winners were Songmo, Chongso, and Tsumian.
In the Male category for ages 30 to below 45 years, the winners were Jonathan Yezenthung and Banglo Konyak, while in the Female category for ages 30 to below 45 years, the winners were Cekrotalu, Sentinaro, and Tiapenla Amer.
In the Male category for ages above 45 years, the winners were N Pichong, Shipemo, and WR Joseph, while in the Female category for ages above 45 years, the winners were T Roslyn Lotha, Vilhousieno, and Mezo Nenio.