A Matter of Pride

Kudos to the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), Angami Sports’ Association (ASA) and the Botsa Baptist Church for successfully organising and conducting the 12th Open Naga Wrestling 2019. Congratulations to Mr Menuosetuo Yiese as well for adding another feather to his cap, last being the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2018 edition. In the field of sports, only a game of Football, I thought, could congregate arena packed attendance. This fixated opinion though was proven wrong during the Championship, wherein I witnessed the fervor Nagas have for the game of wrestling, more evidently in our Angami and Chakesang brothers. The success of the event implies that Wrestling, as a sport, has an impetus to become the next big thing in Nagaland. For Rung Lian Ceu, the reigning US and Myanmar Wrestling Champion, the hype and reputation that preceded his participation was well acknowledged by one and all. He had to be content with the third position, but being voted the wrestler with best tactics, he left with pride intact. North East has not shied from accolades at the world stage in the field of sports. To name few personalities, the likes of pugilist Mary Kom, gymnast Dipa karmakar, weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga and the latest sprint sensation in Hima Das. Nagaland, somehow, has failed to solidify on the initial foothold gained in the past. But there is still hope in the likes of Menuosetuo Yiese, just 20 years of age his ability needs no elaboration having excelled in a platform that saw 61 other wrestlers, few of whom are of national and international repute. I only hope Menuosetuo does not bind his achievements by handshakes of ministers and dignitaries of Nagaland alone. Being an ardent follower of sports, installation of the Astro turf facility at Indira Gandhi Stadium and therein witnessing the 19th edition of the Dr T Ao District Level Football tournament was a dose of hope. However avoidable occurrences such as non-registration of players in the AIFF Centralised Registration System (CRS), leading to the State team failing to participate in the Santosh Trophy, a premier National Level Football championship, only dampens the spirit. An ensuing excuse, not once but for the third consecutive year. Is it an oversight or sheer negligence? Only the concerned authorities can answer. With time, exhibition matches and competitions once organised with pride and zeal within khels, villages and local bodies etc. have lost its sheen, if not ceased completely. Likewise, sports meet by institutions and district level competitions are also being organised as routine events. Somehow our approach towards games and sports require a complete overhaul. It is also time for our sports ministry to initiate proactive measures to provide our youth with significant representation, because without necessary platform and avenues talent alone may not thrive. Immediate result is not the aim but spadework towards cementing an identity and a respectable position in times to come. Khumlamo Patton Akuk Village, Wokha