Nagaland to come up with comprehensive sports policy, says Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

• Five multidiscipline sports stadiums inaugurated

• All districts to have similar facilities

DIMAPUR — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, on Monday, said that the state government is working hard to come up with a comprehensive sports policy by revamping the existing one.

He expressed optimism that the new sports policy, once completed, would be legislated in the next budget session of the state assembly.

He said this during the inauguration of five multidiscipline sports stadiums in the districts of Chümoukedima, Niuland, Tseminyu, Tuensang and Noklak, via video conferencing, at Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence, Sovima, in Chümoukedima.

The state government has decided to frame a new sports policy, as sports is a potential industry that can provide gainful employment to athletes and others alike, he said.

Rio asserted that Nagas are naturally talented and second to none in the field of games and sports, as amply demonstrated during the recently concluded National Games in Goa, where Nagaland won eight medals.

He said the inauguration of the multidiscipline sports stadiums, which are modern and can accommodate dozens of different sports disciplines, is the first phase of the indoor stadium development programme.

He also informed that the multidiscipline sports stadiums are constructed under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode with pre-engineered (fabricated materials), which takes less time to construct, besides the low cost of maintenance.

Informing that similar facilities are on the anvil in all the districts, he said the government had sanctioned six stadiums during 2021-22 under Special Assistance and Innovative Programme of the state, at an average cost of INR 3.50 crore per unit.

And this year, the government has sanctioned 10 more multidiscipline sports stadiums all over the state, based on the requirements, while the gap analysis will be carried out by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, he said.

Rio also informed that more sports facilities including indoor stadiums, astroturf football stadiums, multi-purpose indoor halls and training centres in different districts will be inaugurated in the coming weeks.

Moreover, to encourage sports as a way of life and livelihood skill, he said that rural sports are being planned in selected pockets in the districts, which will eventually help scout young promising sportspersons.

Maintaining that the facility in Chümoukedima adds another key requirement to the Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence, the CM said Nagaland needs to develop a dedicated sports facilities centre, if the state is to host important national and international events in the future.

He went on to say that a multi-sports infrastructure is also a compulsory requirement for the development and training of athletes in a dedicated area that is well connected by air, rail and road, with sufficient space for future development.

Stating that other districts also must find an “appropriate sector” for their own growth and development in sports, he encouraged the respective elected members and think tanks to evolve strategies for their own districts.

He also announced that with the addition of the multidiscipline stadiums, the ‘Hornbill Futsal Festival’ will now be converted into ‘Hornbill Sports Festival’ in multiple sports disciplines, with organisational hand-holding from the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA).

Rio further mentioned that the state has major sports events in the offing including the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games, Nagaland College Games, Nagaland School Olympics and North East Olympic Games.

He expressed hope that these tournaments will boost the spirit of sportsmanship among the energetic Naga youth.

Secretary General of NOA, Abu Metha, said that the association, in collaboration with the state government, is making serious efforts to develop sports and games in the state.

He informed that the international sports market is today worth 513 billion dollars and it is expected to touch 625 billion US dollars in the next five years. The sports market in India alone is worth 100 million US dollars and it is the fastest industry in the country, he added.

He also said that under the guidance and vision of the chief minister, the Government of Nagaland and NOA are making serious efforts to change the narrative of the sports story in Nagaland.

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