Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated on Monday that the state government was committed to and focused on expanding the state’s sports infrastructure.
Rio, who was speaking as a special guest at the 65th Kohima Village Sports Association (KVSA) Meet, 2022 at Khuochiezie (local ground) here on Monday morning, expressed delight at the large turnout of youth at the meet.
Rio expressed his encouragement and encouraged the participants to play well for themselves and their khels, as well as to try to represent the State and country in the future.
He emphasised that Nagaland needed to catch up with neighbouring states, noting that sports had contributed significantly to the overall progress of states such as Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram.
Referring to the 41-year delay in Nagaland Olympic Association’s affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association, the chief minister stated that this was one of the reasons why the state had lagged behind others.
He expressed confidence that better days were ahead for the state, and that the youth would excel in all areas, particularly games and sports.
He stated that because Kohima village was the second largest in Asia, it should set a good example for the rest of the state to follow. According to him, Kohima village khels banded together in 1944 and hosted a wrestling meet the following year.
The chief minister urged the players to be disciplined, eat healthily, and abstain from alcohol and drugs if they wanted to be the best in their chosen field.
Noting that it was past time for Nagaland to host the National Games, Rio revealed that the State Government was putting in place the necessary infrastructure.
However, he emphasised the importance of developing local talent to help the State win medals if it were to host the event.
He also urged people to remain optimistic despite the fact that the state was facing a number of challenges.
He wished everyone a happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year and wished the meeting a great success. Rio also warned people not to relax their guard against Covid-19 because the pandemic was far from over.
He stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Central and State governments were issuing new guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure people’s safety from the virus.
He observed that the virus had affected people in a variety of ways over the previous two years, causing disruptions in normal activities such as travel, sports, and education, with the youth being the most affected.
With the increase in cases of the new Covid variant, he stated that new restrictions were imposed and urged everyone to take the virus seriously.
The meet began with a prelude at Thevokemouzie, site of the first KVSA wrestling meet.
The parade was followed by contingents from four khels: Tsütuonuomia, Dapfhütsumia, Pfuchatsumia, and Lhisemia.
The programme was presided over by organising committee convener Neingusalie Khruomo, while Kohima Village Youth Organization president Ruokuoneituo Phewhuo delivered the welcome address, Kohima Village Council chairman Helievio Solo conveyed greetings, and Kohima village head GB Medo Keretsü offered traditional blessings.
The brass band from St Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Kohima made a special appearance. The six-day meet will be held in Kohima at Khuochiezie, IG Stadium, and State Indoor Stadium.
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Nagaland: Govt Willing to go all out to facilitate solution, says CM Rio