Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 18 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed that there are plans and programmes of the state government in the pipeline to nurture talented and potential sportsmen and women.
He was speaking as the special guest during the wrestling competition for senior category at Khuochiezie local ground in Kohima on Friday.
Acknowledging the inadequate sports infrastructures and lack of financial stability to train and set up competitors to play at higher arenas, he reiterated the government aims and objectives to assist the sportspersons.
Apprising about the availability of a six-storey office of the Nagaland Olympic Association near State Indoor Stadium in Kohima, the chief minister invited sports enthusiasts and sports organisations to utilise the facility for any meeting or issues related to any discipline.
He underscored the need to come up with regional centres of sports excellence in other districts beside Kohima and Dimapur.
Informing about the upcoming South Asian Federation Cross Country Championships along with the 56th National Cross country Championships, scheduled to be held at Kohima in March, Rio asked sportspersons and others to witness such mega events to be held on home soil to learn and improve.
While the best sports persons are selected from village and regional level before competing at ASA sports meet as per the tradition, he asked the wrestlers to display sportsmanship spirit and give their best to the spectators.
Expressing happiness that ASA has organised various disciplines to mark the week-long ASA 50th meet besides Naga wrestling, he reminded about the competition ahead, urging sportspeople in various disciplines to be prepared so that they could represent the state as well as the country in reputed competitions and bring laurels.
Recalling the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, which created havoc throughout the world, where scores of people succumbed to the disease while many were infected, Rio acknowledged the 'grace of the Almighty for giving a conducive atmosphere', wherein ASA could conduct the various events for the youth to showcase their best.
He was appreciative of the Angami community for preserving and promoting the Naga style wrestling in their region though the sport may not be able to cover the rest of the tribes in Nagaland.
However, he lauded ASA for inviting all the representatives from various tribes to come and witness the indigenous game, which has been passed on by the ancestors, during the meet, hoping that wrestling would be propagated throughout the tribal lines.
He emphasised on the need to constitute expert committees for the traditional wrestling, while promoting it, reiterating more rules and a better review system for the game to emerge.
At the same time, Rio advised to conduct more category system for the competition such as light, medium and heavy weight divisions for more participation.
While conducting such sports meet, he also recommended inculcating other indigenious games.
Further, he called upon wrestlers from the Angami region to exhibit their best even in the competitions ahead and bring good name to their parents, village and their tribe and be "backbone" to the rest of the Nagas. "Sportspersons are the "most admired, loved and respected people".