Nagaland Olympic: Olympic symbolises unity of athletes — Neikha

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug 17 (EMN): Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports, Zale Neikha, on Wednesday said the Olympic symbolises the unity of athletes coming from every corner of the state to showcase their love for the game.

Addressing the inaugural function of the second Nagaland Olympic and Paralympics games 2022- football event at IG Stadium as special guest, Neikha said the goal of the Olympic movement is to build a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sports, practiced without discrimination of any kind through the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

The YR&S advisor expressed happiness that 4000 athletes from all the 16 districts of Nagaland will be participating and competing in 11 disciplines of sports- archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, lawn tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, shooting and wushu.

He said football which is popular in all districts and villages is growing far “beyond imagination and expectations.”

 “Like Pele and other famous players, the athletes of Nagaland have the determination, consistency, self-dependence with all good qualities to be a good sportsperson. But Naga sportspersons lack sportsmanship spirit,” he said.

The advisor lamented that most Naga sportspersons have the mindset that they are the best in their respective discipline and that none can compete with them. With such a mentality, they remain in their own comfort zone and fail to improve themselves, Neikha said.

He said even in the recent Commonwealth Games, neighbouring states had participated and brought laurels. But sadly Nagaland state could not send any of its sportsperson to the mega event, which proved “where the State stands in sports,” he said.

The advisor said sportspersons should not always blame associations and departments for poor infrastructure or other factors for their failure but that they should also own responsibility and try to work hard in areas where they are lagging behind.

To buttress his point, Neikha reminded about the legendary football player Dr. T Ao, who despite receiving no major support from the government, excelled through sheer determination, discipline and passion.

On the occasion, secretary general of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) Abu Metha unfurled the NOA flag.

Earlier, K Neibu Sekhose, president Nagaland Football Association (NFA) delivered the welcome address.

Wednesday match update

• First match: Dimapur vs Wokha (6-1) – Kivi Zhimo representing Dimapur scored the first hat-trick
• Second match: Peren vs Zunheboto (4-0)
• Third match: Shamator vs Mon (3-2)
• Fourth match: Kohima vs Tuensang (7-0)

Match fixture for Thursday

• First- Tseminyu vs Kiphire (9 am)
• Second- Noklak vs Mokokchung (11.10 am)
• Third- Phek vs Chümoukedima (1.30 pm)
• Fourth- Longleng vs Niuland (3.30 pm)