Lack of sports infrastructure takes centre stage at NOA meeting

Dimapur, Dec. 11 (EMN):  Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), said on Friday that there are talented people in the state but they are not getting the required opportunity due to the lack of facilities, funds and other resources.

He was addressing the annual general meeting of NOA held at the Banquet Hall, State Guest House in Kohima. The meeting was by Meren Paul, Senior Vice President, NOA and Vice President K Kire delivered the welcome address, informed an update from DIPR.

While lamenting that many activities have been halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rio urged that the “people must move forward and learn to live with it, as it is the new way of life”.

He stated that sport is highly competitive and it is a full time job which requires discipline, commitment and dedication; and deserves recognition and reward.  He also suggested setting up of an office complex for the NOA, which would be functional throughout the year.

The chief minister also launched the website of the Nagaland Athletics Association during the programme.

Abu Metha, the Secretary General of NOA, stressed on the lack of proper sports infrastructures in the state, stating that Indira Gandhi Stadium at Kohima and the Cricket Ground at Sovima are the only two infrastructures with standard facilities.

Briefing the participants about the history of the association, Metha said that it was established in 1987 but got affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association only in 2004 through the collective efforts of various people such as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Lanu Toy, the founding president of the NOA.

He called for streamlining of various sports associations and strengthening them. He also proposed for reservation of posts for sports persons in various fields, and that sports is the most-watched event in the world besides bringing people together.

The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), in its presentation, informed the gathering about the various activities taken up by the association. The association also informed that affiliation to the NWA is open to any district or tribe. The Nagaland Athletic Association also gave a presentation at the function where it highlighted the various goals and targets, the update informed.