Nagaland Olympics: Badminton event underway at Longleng

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug 23 (EMN): The 44th LI-NING Inter-District and State Open Badminton Championship 2022 got under way at Multipurpose Hall, Longleng, on Monday.

Minister for Health & Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, who graced the inaugural programme as special guest, in his address termed the event as “historic” as it is the first time that Longleng district is witnessing such a mega sporting event.

The minister said the event is an eye opener for the younger generation and urged the players to exhibit their potential, skills and talents with discipline and game spirit.

 “Time has brought us to be practical and be realistic to change the system and uplift our sportsmen, taking the lead and example of our neighbouring states where men and women are doing exceptionally in the national and international level,” Pangnyu said.

While admitting that the state government has to do a lot more in the field of games and sports, he said due to lack of resources the state is lagging behind in many aspects, which is discouraging many young talents to choose sports as a subject and profession.

He however encouraged the young players to never give up but rather to strive to become champions by overcoming all shortcomings.

Towards this, he advised the sportspersons across the state to be determined and consistent to make it to the top.

He further assured that the government of the day is also doing its best to upgrade the infrastructure and quality management of sportspersons down to the grassroots level.

Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, Dharam Raj, and senior vice-president of Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) and vice president of Badminton Association of India (BAI), Dr. Watizulu Suzumeren, also spoke in the inaugural programme.