Youth Resources and Sports department awards meritorious sportspersons

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 17 (EMN): The department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) on Thursday awarded sportspersons from Nagaland for winning medals and bringing accolades to the state in the regional, national and international arena from 2019 to 2020 at a ceremony held in Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.

A total of 98 sportspersons and five coaches from nine disciplines were awarded with cash prizes. The sports discipline included sepaktakraw, karate, taekwondo, muay thai, archery, tennis, wrestling, athletics/shotput and football.

Addressing the gathering, secretary YRS, Vezope Kenye, said it was an occasion of great joy and happiness as the sportspersons brought laurels to the state. “The award ceremony is among the most treasured occasions as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the preceding years and also share the achievements and success in the years to come”, he said.

He opined that the award is a special way to encourage and inculcate competitive spirit and said that a sportsperson is considered a disciplined person, who is looked upto and congratulated the titleholders and coaches for their efforts.

To those who did not win, he encouraged them not to lose hope but to put in more effort and give their best shot in the next event.

Earlier, Neivikuolie Nicholas Khatsu delivered a speech on behalf of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA). Additional director of YRS, Megolhu Dolie presented a report on the cash award.

Five coaches were awarded with INR 1 lakh each, while the prize money for the 98 sportspersons ranged from INR 5000 upto INR 21,000.

30 gold, 16 silver and 52 bronze were won by the sportspersons in various disciplines.