Women in sports hampered by varied challenges in Nagaland

Modern College holds National Seminar on Women in Sports

Kohima, October 31 (MExN): Women’s participation in sports, particularly in Nagaland, is hampered by various challenges though prospects are opening up.

The observation, among others, was the outcome of a One-Day National Seminar on “Women in Sports” held at Modern College, Kohima on October 29. It was supported by the National Commission for Women (NCW), Government of India.

As a young Naga girl “really passionate about football,” my biggest challenge was getting parental approval, especially my mother, shared H Shangki Konyak, a football coach from the Getthemgo Sports Academy.

Speaking on, “Naga Women in Sports: Challenges and Prospects,” she noted that women also face mental and psychological challenges as they “get teased and bullied” as Nagas consider sports to be a man’s bastion.

Shangki, who has represented Nagaland in several national and international women’s football tournaments, cited financial constraints as another major challenge as “pursuing sports professionally is expensive when one has not earned a name.”

She further noted that sports is not perceived as a career/profession in the Naga society and as a result,  balancing studies and practicing sports become very difficult, resulting in many prioritising the former.

Nagaland also lacks good women coaches and women’s football tournaments are hardly organised by the Associations, while grassroots development has a long way to go, she said. 

Accordingly, Shangki noted the prospect of being a sportsperson is almost negligible as the State government has very limited posts/quota for sportspersons. To buttress her point, she cited recent vacancies announced by the Nagaland Staff Selection Board, where there is no quota for sportspersons.

Nevertheless, the football coach appealed parents that if their daughters are passionate about sports, they should be encouraged to pursue so that their talent can be identified and trained at the right age.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Visakhonu Hibo, Principal, Japfu Christian College and President of the NCPA (Nagaland Colleges Principals Association) said that women sports in Nagaland, in general, are never perceived seriously.

Examining why Naga women are not coming forward in sports unlike Manipur or Assam, she cited a research study on women in Nagaland University, which found that Naga women never consider sports as a part of their holistic development. 

It is high time Naga women and the society come together to recognise and be accommodative towards women who take up sports as a profession, Dr Hibo stressed. 

William Koso, High Performance Manager, Khelo India, Centre of Excellence, Kohima, meanwhile, implied that with Khelo India Centres (KIC) being set and operationalised in Nagaland, efforts are on to identify and develop talent amongst young boys and girls in the state. 

At present there are 14 working KICs in the state with 15:15 boys and girls enrolled getting trained in Archery, Boxing and Weightlifting, he said. 

Speaking on “Development of Women Sports wrt Khelo India in Nagaland,” Koso however noted that most Nagas love sports but mostly from recreation and fitness perspective, not a full time profession.

Sports is a long term investment which is why most Naga parents and policy makers do not consider it as a wise career choice for their children, he said, but noted that the mindset is slowly changing.

If Nagaland is to become a talent producing state like others, it is pertinent that the State Sports Department and Sports Associations and Federations work closely hand in hand, he added. 

Speaking on ‘Way forward for Women in Sports,’ Vineet Basu, Senior Sports Consultant at Enrst and Young LLP, Gurugram highlighted opportunities, the grassroots programmes in Manipur and Meghalaya, and the role of the State Sports Associations and Federations. 

With regard to the Indian Sports Industry, he informed that there are immense opportunities for women becoming sports management professional as it is growing by leaps and bounds.

Basu also shared on how Manipur and Meghalaya are working on the long term sport development for women with their strong grassroots programme for young girls.

Manipur currently has grassroots programme in football, boxing and polo in partnership with private stakeholders who support women sports development with the State Sports Department, he informed. 

The Meghalaya Football Agency has a strong football grassroots football programme for girls and went a step forward by mixing both genders in one team, he added. 

Nagaland can think of similar innovative ways and come with strong grassroots programme especially with the KICs coming up in all districts, he suggested. 

For young talents to grow, school environment plays a crucial role while Nagaland needs to create indigenous pool of human resources in sports as they are the best people to understand the local context, he added. 

Speaking with reference to Manipur, Chingkheinganbi Huirem, Head Coach (Judo) from the SAI National Centre of Excellence Imphal reflected from her experiences as a player and then as a coach. 

She shared that her mother has been her greatest inspiration and motivator, encouraging her to go to Judo practice every morning and take part in any local competitions, before  her talent got identified and she represented the state and the country.

But unlike her, even in Manipur there are many young girls who do not get parental support, Huirem maintained.

She also recalled her roommate Mary Kom in her early days went through difficulties but ultimately overcame it and how most girls from Manipur in sports comes from humble background. Accordingly, racist behavour as well as language barrier often affects them mentally and their confidence, she noted. 

Hence, as a coach, I prepare my students for such situations and constantly motivates them, she said, adding that world of sports has lots of difficulties and challenges but once conquered, it is truly a fulfilling journey.

Faculty members and students from Model Christian College, Modern Institute of Teacher Education, Modern Higher Secondary School attended the programme as guest invitees, informed a press release from the College. 

Source: https://morungexpress.com/women-in-sports-hampered-by-varied-challenges-in-nagaland