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PHEK — As many as 340 athletes representing 15 teams are vying for the 34th Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship 2024, organized by the Nagaland Taekwondo Association in collaboration with Department of Youth Resources and Sports, at Town Hall, Phek.
The two-day championship will culminate on September 3.
Addressing the inaugural function as chief guest on Monday, Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, said sports is one activity that brings mankind across the globe together, despite human beings always being at war, fighting, and competing in the wrong sense.
The minister expressed hope that with the promotion of sports and the spirit of sportsmanship, it would propel a lesson on how to compete in a healthy way in a society always full of “ism.”
Also read: Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship in September
Observing that there is a lot of potential in this region, he noted that it is an expensive activity, and many parents and guardians cannot afford to support their wards. Yet, he informed that the state government, under the present dispensation, has been trying to mobilise resources for basic requirements to let athletes compete with the rest of their peers.
Guest of honour for the event, MLA and Leader of NPFLP, Kuzholuzo Nienu, pointed out that Nagas are second to none and exhorted the young athletes to maintain consistency.
Further, Nienu submitted a representation to the Department of Youth Resources and Sports for setting up a multi-disciplinary sports hall.
The presidential address was delivered by Pele Khezhie, President of NTA, wherein he recalled that initially, when taekwondo started in Nagaland, there was poor response from the people, partly due to negligence and lack of knowledge about taekwondo.
He however expressed delight that today, taekwondo in Nagaland is gaining more and more popularity, leading many schools to include it in their curriculum to educate children about basic self-defence and instil discipline.
He also highlighted that the government has initiated a program for teachers to learn taekwondo so they may be able to train themselves as well as teach their students.
The president also appreciated the Phek District Taekwondo Association (PDTA) for hosting the 34th Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship 2024 despite all difficulties and doing a fantastic job.
He observed that Phek District has huge potential for the promotion of taekwondo, and with the enthusiasm shown by the team, he expressed hope that the players from Phek District will bring medals in the National and even International Championship.
Khezhie also informed that NTA is proud of their two colleagues, namely Theja Keretsu and Moon Thapa, who took part in the International Taekwondo Master Course recently held in Jharkhand and have qualified as internationally certified technical personnel from the state.
Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources and Sports, stated that over the last few years, the state government, despite limited resources, has been investing in schools. He hailed the improvement in sports achievements, pointing out the performances of state athletes in the Northeast Olympic Games.
The participants representing 14 districts and a team from Indira Gandhi Academy, Kohima, are vying for the championship. The event also involves 18 officials, including two international officials, and 60 coaches and managers.
