Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 22
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called upon aspiring sportspersons to emulate Naga Olympian and Arjuna award recipient Chekrovulü Swuro, who have become an icon of the youth today.
Pointing out that Naga archer Swuro was dedicated and had the discipline and determination to achieve at the highest level of competition, Rio, therefore, advised the sportspersons to partake in their respective disciplines with seriousness having the attitude of professionalism. “Take sports seriously if you want to be a professional,” Rio said while underlining the need to involve in games & sports activity as a full time job. He was addressing the inaugural function of the 1st Nagaland Archery Championship at Sovima Cricket Stadium, Dimapur on Tuesday as the chief guest.
While noting that our state is geographically remote, the chief minister, however, said that games & sports is one area where we have equal platform with the rest of the world.
“Along with the equal platform, there is also shortcut to success, riches and fame. So progress, excel and become medal winners to bring laurels to our state” Rio urged.
Reiterating the State government’s policy in prioritizing a few sports discipline where Nagas have the potentials, Rio said that archery is one among the disciplines chosen as priority. Mention may be made that Nagaland have produced five international archers so far as going by the latest record. And it is also worth mentioning that Chekrovolü, who missed a medal at the London Olympics 2012, had herself bagged 38 national medals and 26 international medals.
“There are row talents in this discipline in the State, and therefore it has been chosen as a priority discipline,” he said and also informed that an academy is coming up at Sovima to develop professional archery. Rio, who is also the president of NAA, expressed high hopes that the Nagas would in the near future produce more archers of the highest caliber.
The chief minister was also accompanied by Minister of Youth Resources & Sports Merentoshi Jamir, Minister of Roads & Bridges Küzholüzo Nienu and Parliamentary Secretary for Law & Justice and vice president of NAA, Dr Neikiesalie Kire. The inaugural programme was chaired by vice president of NAA, KT Sukhalu.
Altogether, 124 archers including 69 males and 55 females from all the eleven districts, 4th NAP and Assam Rifles, Jakhama, are participating in the two-day championship. The archers will compete for 68 medals in three categories including Indian Round, Recurve & Compound.
