Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio inaugurates summer badminton coaching camp

DIMAPUR— The first summer badminton coaching camp, organised by Abeio Kire and Angam Shaiza in collaboration with Padukone Sports Management, Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru (PSM), was inaugurated on Tuesday, at Vidhya Bhawan Higher Secondary School Complex, Dimapur.

The inaugural of the one-month long coaching camp was attended by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest and Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone as honoured guest.

The chief minister in his address acknowledged Padukone for coming to Nagaland to give valuable coaching tips to badminton enthusiasts and aspiring players.

Recalling Padukone’s rare achievements of 67 championship medals, Rio commented that he is not only a champion but producing many champions, and motivating the young players to achieve excellence.

He reminded that a player can become professional only through hard work and discipline.

Stating that the potential of the young badminton players in the state could not be fully utilised as they were not given the opportunity to undergo coaching and other activities, the chief minister exuded optimism that the camp would be “a breakthrough.”

Assuring that the state government will continue to support sports and youth activities, Rio also promised to sponsor 10 best players from the camp for future training.

Founder and director of PSM, Prakash Padukone, who is visiting Nagaland for the first time, shared that he has always wanted to do something for Northeast states and that after 20 years he is able to fulfill his wish.

Padukone said he believes that Nagaland has many talents and with the support of the state government, these budding talents will grow and excel even in national level. He also opined that there are many talents in Northeast and that they only need to be nurtured.

He shared that after the one-month summer camp, they will plan how to take the talented kids to the next level. He also assured that they will see what best they can do to improve badminton in Nagaland.