Nagaland can become powerhouse of sports — TR Zeliang

DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Friday said that Naga youths have the potential to excel in any sports discipline and with collective efforts, the state can become the powerhouse of games and sports in the country.

The deputy CM however admitted that due to poor infrastructure and support, “our growth in the field is growing at a slow pace.”

Zeliang was speaking during the inauguration programme of the first exclusive table tennis stadium constructed by North East India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA) at Agri Expo, Chümoukedima.

Appreciating the NIAPA for making efforts to construct the stadium, he said the stadium will immensely benefit the young players in the state to train and improve their playing skills.

Meanwhile, he asked the NIAPA not to end their commitment with the inauguration but asked them to pledge to support and nurture the growth of the sport and provide opportunities for young players to excel and be at par with the rest of the world.

He cited that Nagas do not lack talent but due to poor infrastructure and support, the growth of sports in the state in “at a slow pace.”

“But with collective effort and in our individual capacity, if we can promote and give the platform, I am confident that our state and Northeast region will be the powerhouse of games and sports in the country,” he asserted.

NIAPA open tournament kicks off

The inaugural function was followed by the annual NIAPA Open tournament in which 70 players from Nepal and the NE states including Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland are taking part.

Zeliang mentioned that table tennis is a sport with worldwide appeal and can be played by all ages, unlike many games and sports which do not appeal to all age group. “So whether you take up the sport professionally or for leisure, the benefits of it are immense and therefore should be encouraged to improve one’s quality of life,” he said.

The deputy CM further urged all the players to aim for excellence and strive hard to become successful sportsmen and women, not only in the north east region but also shine at the national and international levels.

The categories include men’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, women’s singles and women’s doubles.

The total prize money for the tournament is INR 6 lakh. For team event, the winner will receive INR 90,000 and runner up INR 50,000.

Cash prize for winner of men’s singles is INR 17,000 and INR 12,000 for runner- up; INR 14,000 for women’s singles winner and INR 10,000 for runner up; winners of mixed doubles will receive INR 20,000 and runners-up INR 15,000; for men’s doubles, the champions and runners-up will received INR 20,000 and INR 15,000, respectively, while for women’s doubles, the winners and runners-up will receive INR 18,000 and INR 13,000, respectively.

Other awards of the tournament include sponsoring of two promising Naga players and endorsement of two NE players. The tournament will culminate on Nov. 27.

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