Nagaland observes National Sports Day; stay healthy and fit, citizens told

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 29 (EMN): Commemorating the National Sports Day on August 29, Advisor of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Zale Neikha, has stressed on the importance of sports and other physical activities to stay healthy and fit, particularly in this time of Covid-19 pandemic.

To mark the occasion along with the rest of the country, a brief programme on ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ was organised at the Indira Gandhi (IG) Stadium in Kohima.

Expounding on the significance of ‘Fit India Freedom Run,’ Neikha reminded that the event was organised to encourage fitness and also to help every individual get freedom from obesity, stress, laziness, anxiety and sickness. The main objective of the event, according to him, was to run ‘anywhere at anytime,’ while keeping in mind the present situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the prevailing standard operating procedure (SOP).

He highlighted that the ‘National Sports Day’ is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who won gold medals for India in the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics.

He encouraged the participants and the youth of the state to be physically active and exercise regularly to stay healthy. Dwelling on the importance of staying healthy and fit, he stated that a healthy body is essential to fight the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the event, the director of Youth Resources and Sports, Akumla Chuba, informed that the ‘Fit India Freedom Movement’ and the ‘National Sports Day’ could not be celebrated with huge number of participations unlike in the past owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. She thanked all the participants for attending the event.

Later, the advisor flagged off the ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ along with the department officials, coaches of various sports disciplines and NSS volunteers.

‘Fit India Freedom Run’ is a countrywide movement that was launched by the union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day on August 15. The event would culminate on October 2 on the occasion of 151st birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Players train from home

Speaking on the sideline of the programme, the administrator of Indira Gandhi (IG) Stadium, Kohima, Jakedovo Chase, informed Eastern Mirror that the players at the academy have been training from home under the guidance of their respective coach.

He informed that all the students undergoing coaching and training at the stadium have gone home due to the Covid-19 pandemics. He, however, stated that coaches of respective disciplines are in touch with them by giving weekly routines to ensure consistency in their training. Besides, he also informed that the coaches are attending online seminars and online coaching organised by the ministry or their own federations.

The administrator also informed that regular programme would start when the situation improves even if tournaments are not held soon.

It may be mentioned that the halls (Hall-A and Hall-B) that were used for trainings were converted into quarantine centres by constructing cubicles due to huge number of returnees in the state, while the academy conducts trainings for archery, taekwondo, wrestling and football.

It was also learned that the secretary of Youth Resources and Sports had written to the state government to vacate the same as the stadium was selected to be established as Khelo India Centre. The central team from the ministry, which is expected to come for supervision and inspection works, was put on hold due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.