Nagaland athletes performing at par with other states, says official

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 29 (EMN): Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports, Wezope Kenye, on Monday said Nagaland is performing at par with the other states of India, while asserting that the athletes have shown impeccable passion towards sports during the Nagaland Olympics.

He was addressing the National Sports Day celebration, commemorating the birth anniversary of Hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand, an event organised by the department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) in Kohima.

“We just witnessed a few days ago athletes coming together from all corners of Nagaland in the spirit of sports. More than 2000 athletes participated from 16 districts and took away 347 medals back home,” said Kenye.

Pointing out that National Sports Day is also dedicated to the nation’s sports heroes and champions, honouring their contribution and dedication towards bringing laurels to the country, he said the objective is to raise awareness about the values of sports — discipline, perseverance, sportsman spirit, teamwork — and to encourage public to take up sports and make it an integral part of their lives.

The official highlighted the significance and achievements made by Major Dhyan Chand, a field hockey player, whose recognition in the field of sports led the Indian government to award him the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor.

Further, he called upon the people of the state to consider Sports day to be an inspiration to lead a healthy and active life.

Meanwhile, Advisor of Youth Resources and Sports Zale Neikha in his speech lauded the efforts of the sportspersons from Nagaland who brought laurels to create a statement of ‘what they can do with sports discipline’.

According to the advisor, National Sports Day aims to create awareness about physical activities, sports, and overall health. He lauded the support of coaches, trainees, families towards the uplift of athletes and sportspersons, which is an opportunity to get oneself interested in the world of sports and to adopt a healthy and fit lifestyle.

To mark the ocassion, the department of Youth Resources and Sports conducted a fitness regime at IGS in the morning with branches of DYRS department officials, IG students and coaches.

A day-long programme was also held for the academy students by conducting various indigenous games such as tug of war, cock fight and sack race.

A hockey friendly match was played at KIC Jakhama to mark the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand and concluding the day, department of YRS played a friendly football match with School Education department.