EMN
Pughoboto, November 15
Minister for Youth Resource & Sports (YR&S), Merentoshi R Jamir advocated the need to focus on sport disciplines more suited to Naga physique, especially where youth can compete and bring laurels at the highest level of competition. peaking at the closing function of the two-day open badminton tournament organized by the Pughoboto Sub-Division Badminton Association (PSBA), Jamir sought the need to take up disciplines which Southeast Asian countries have made it as world class players stating, ‘we share similar physique and we can do well in those disciplines they do well’.
Affirming the need for youth to take to sports, the YR&S minister informed that the department was in the process of approving an outdoor multi-sports complex for the youth of Pughoboto. ‘When the facility is completed, I hope the people will take good care,’ he opined.
Acknowledging badminton as one discipline which has seen a steady growth in the state, Jamir extended his sincere appreciation to Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation & Flood Control, Vikheho Swu for promoting the discipline at sub-divisional level. ‘The overwhelming response from participants representing different districts indicates that Nagas are catching up with the game of badminton,’ he said adding, the initiative taken by leaders in promoting sports in their respective regions is an encouragement for the department too to take steps.
He suggested that PSBA make the open tournament an annual event while assuring support from the department in the years to come. Jamir was also of the opinion that the success of the first Pughoboto open badminton tournament will encourage the youth of the area to take sports seriously as an occupation.
He also expressed confidence that the steady growth of badminton lovers would see Nagaland produce Olympians in the discipline in the near future.
The minister for YR&S was accompanied by chief guest of Ahuna Night, Khriehu Liezitsu, Chairman Kohima DPDB and Advisor, MTF & NRE, organised by PSBA to mark the harvest celebration.
