Correspondent Kohima, DEC 28 (NPN) : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio said foundation for a Nagaland Police Sports Battalion had been laid for providing opportunities to promising and dedicated sportspersons to excel in their chosen fields and get a chance to reach higher competitive are-nas, both nationally and internationally.
Speaking at the 52nd Meriema Village Youth Games & Sports Meet 2021 on Monday, he said Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) also had plans for setting up an office in the State Capi-tal next year to cater to the needs of sportspersons, help streamline their chosen profession and facilitate them to move forward.
He disclosed that Nagaland Mini Olympics would also be held biannually where players from all the districts would compete and deserving players thereafter would get the chance to repre-sent the State and country in national and international events.
He reminded that Nagaland would be hosting the South Asian Cross Country Championship from January 15, 2022.
Rio claimed that the State government was working to promote sportspersons in the State through various initiatives.
He observed that sports had become a profession these days and could propel someone to stardom overnight.
This however came only with dedication on the part of a sportsperson, he added.
On that note, he called on the youth to be God fearing, obedient and disciplined in their chosen fields if they dream big.
The chief minister cautioned the youth gathered on the occasion that lack of self-discipline and commitment could result in failure in life. Dedication and determination were the key ingredi-ents for a sportsperson to reach the top, he stressed.
“The difference between the possible and the impossible is a person’s determination. Winners are not people who never fails, but people who never quits,” he stated.
Pointing out that neighbouring States like Manipur and Assam were far ahead in sports, Rio said Nagas also needed to catch up.
He claimed that Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Common Minimum Pro-gramme (CMP) emphasised sports.
Meanwhile, Rio congratulated the village for crossing the milestone of 50 years. He remarked that the celebration was a time for the village folks to thank and honour the pioneers who intro-duced sporting events at the village.
Thanking the villagers for willingly parting with their land when approached for developmental activities, he mentioned that Kohima city had reached a point where it needed more land for expansion and therefore the government held discussion with Meriema, and the latter readily gave land where Gauhati High Court office, Nagaland University and NIELIT.
He earlier unveiled a monolith and inaugurated the newly-constructed sports gallery and ros-trum.
The inaugural programme was chaired by organising committee convenor Thepfukranyü Hu-ozha, while Baptist Church Meriema pastor Rev keduolhoulie Shüya invoked God’s blessings.
Around 300 sportspersons from six thinuo (khels), including Hurutsu, Huozha, Kesio, Keditsu, Rhiepfü and Shüya, would be participating in the five-day event.
They would be participating in 37 sports disciplines, of which 17 have been reserved for wom-en and 20 for men.
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