Important to prioritise sports as part of education, says Mizoram minister at ANCSU meet

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Oct. 18 (EMN): Minister of Sports and Youth Service, Tourism, Information and Communication Technology, government of Mizoram, Robert Romawia Royte, on Tuesday asserted that integration of sports into the academic curriculum is required for all institutions, especially with the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The minister noted that in the NEP document, the word ‘sports’ appears up to 30 times, indicating the priority given to it.

Royte was speaking at the five-day All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) collegiate meet 2022 at Sakus Mission College in Dimapur.

While stating that all states are preparing to cope with the new challenges ahead, he said it is important to prioritise sports not just as a co-curricular activity but as a part of education.

The Mizoram Sports Minister also congratulated the Nagaland U-17 football team for winning the prestigious Subroto Cup. “This victory is a clear sign of football talents and football potential in Nagaland,” he added.

Stating that winning a championship at a young age is a good sign, he said it is encouraging to see that Nagaland has also started introducing astro turf.

‘The most profitable business has become futsal grounds’, he said, adding that Mizoram has contributed around 10% of the players in the ISL despite barely having 10 lakh population. The minister said that the Mizoram Sports Policy 2019 and subsequent granting of industry status to sports proved fruitful in its endeavour for infrastructural and promotional advancement.

‘In terms of tourism, Nagaland is way ahead of Mizoram and we have decided to come to Hornbill and try to learn the practices that Nagaland has been implementing for promoting tourism’, he added.

The minister also acknowledged that Nagaland is fortunate that a college sports meet has been started under the banner of ANCSU.

Royte added that students of today have more options compared to the previous generations, and encouraged Nagas to play any kind of sport.

The minister added that participating in sporting and cultural activities will greatly help in education as well as overcoming unrecognised stress.

Speaking about the Naga political issue, he said that the Naga political movement started with the submission of a memorandum to the Simon Commission by the Naga Club in 1929, thereby expressing the desire of the Nagas to be independent as and when the British leave the Indian Empire.

Royte mentioned that the formation of Naga National Council in 1947 under the leadership of AZ Phizo, who is also very popular in Mizoram, ‘shows that Naga political consciousness preceded all other political movement’.

Royte expressed hope that the Naga political issue is solved at the earliest, which is acceptable to all the Nagas.

Royte further expressed gratitude to the government of Nagaland for giving him the opportunity to provide technical support and consultancy for the department of Education and other departments from 2009 to 2018.

President of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Kegwahyun Tep, reminded the gathering that statistically, Nagas are at the ‘bottom of the list’ with regard to youth empowerment including sports activities and facilities and therefore, they have to excel in every aspect of life.

“Nevertheless, it is my firm desire that this meet will bring positive change in our society,” he added.

He appreciated the students who had come out to be part of the outdoor events and urged the participants to exhibit true sportsmanship.

The presidential address was delivered by president of ANCSU, Toito D Chishi.

A total of 31 affiliated colleges with 1092 delegates are participating in various sporting events, beat contest and Miss ANCSU. The five-day event will conclude on October 21.