Sports and games taking a positive turn — Rio

Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024 begins

DIMAPUR — Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio pointed that the progress of games and sports in Nagaland is beginning to take a positive turn, despite challenges of decades of insurgency, limited funds and resources.

He was addressing the crowd during the inaugural function of the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024, on Monday at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Chümoukedima.

Rio said that the Nagaland Olympic Association was affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association only in 2004, but “I am happy to note that the progress of sports and games in Nagaland is beginning to take a positive turn.” He said the government has been giving emphasis on infrastructure, game development and building up of a scientific sports eco-system that is being targeted for medals at the highest levels.

Noting that the state’s athletes are starting to win national and international medals and, the CM asserted that the government will continue its best efforts to promote sports at all levels with the clear intention to ensure that sportspersons do not miss the opportunities of the multi- billion-dollar sports industry.

He also reminded that within one month of the games concluding, Nagaland will be hosting the next edition of the North East Olympic Games, where all the 8 states of the north east are expected to participate.

In this connection, he encouraged the athletes to take their respective responsibilities with all seriousness as Nagaland teams will undergo coaching camps and high-performance exercises ahead of the North East Olympics. He said that the participants for NE Olympic for Nagaland will be selected from among the best players during the present games.

Rio went on to state that the Naga youths are displaying a newfound found confidence to strive towards the highest standards. The present government, he said, has declared the ambition to strive for excellence in all fields and the best vertical towards this aspiration is in the arenas of sports and games.

Mentioning the theme of the Nagaland Olympic Association “Stronger Together”, he said that sports have the power to unify. He therefore, asked all the athlete and participants to be the ambassadors of peace and unity of their own people.

“Today as Nagas seeks unity and oneness, the youth and the sportspersons are unifying the Naga people. Sports know no language and have no tribe. Sport knows only excellence and success,” Rio said.

Further, he encouraged the participants to work hard and commit themselves to reach the highest standards. Aim to win medals for our people and our country at the Asian, commonwealth and Olympic Games, he added.

It may be mentioned that all the 16 districts of the state are participating and the competitions will be held in 16 sports disciplines across 15 venues and arenas in the two districts of Dimapur and Chümoukedima with most of the sports events taking place here at the Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence.

During the inaugural session, Kalyam Chaubey, president of All India Football federation and Vice president of Indian Olympic Association, and Girish Sheny, Head of sales, Unted Breweries were the honoured guests of the evening.

Also read: Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024: Niuland win gold in cricket