A send-off ceremony for Nagaland’s representatives to the 20th Asian Games, Japan 2026, was held at the Conference Room of Nagaland Cricket Association, Sovima, Chumoukedima on August 24, 2026. The Nagaland representatives to the Asian Games included women players Menenu Tsukru and Seyiekhrieno Tepa, and coaches Puleno Neikha and Pungotolu Puro. They were selected to be part of the Indian Women’s Sepaktakraw Team for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Speaking at the programme, Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio congratulated the players and coaches on their selection to represent India at the Asian Games. He said their talent, hard work and dedication had earned them the opportunity to represent the country at the national and international levels. On behalf of the State Government and the people of Nagaland, he conveyed his best wishes to the team for their future success.
Dr. Rio stressed the importance of dedication, discipline and determination in sports, and said that consistency in these areas would help the sportspersons reach the Olympic level and he encouraged them to make the State and the country proud through their achievements.
The Chief Minister said that Nagaland had produced three Olympians despite the challenges of inadequate infrastructure in the past. He observed that sports had significant potential today, including as a source of employment, and said that the State Government was working towards improving infrastructure and creating a conducive sports ecosystem to develop talent from the grassroots level.
He said that the achievements of sportspersons brought recognition to Nagaland but also carried a responsibility to motivate and inspire the younger generation. Dr. Rio further observed that Nagaland had come a long way in the field of sports, noting that the State had secured affiliation with the Olympic movement only four decades after attaining statehood.
He assured the sportspersons of continued support from the State Government and encouraged the youth of Nagaland to work hard and pursue sports with commitment so as to represent the State and the country at the highest level.
Advisor to Chief Minister & Chairman, IDAN, Abu Metha, in his address, thanked the Chief Minister for his guidance and support towards strengthening the sports ecosystem in the State. He described the occasion as a significant moment for the people of Nagaland and said that the achievement of the sportspersons reflected the importance given to sports by the State Government.
Referring to Sepaktakraw, he said that the sport had consistently brought medals at national and international events and wished the players and coaches the very best in their upcoming competition.
Metha also highlighted the progress being made in sports in Nagaland, including improvements in infrastructure and the development of the sports ecosystem. He encouraged the sportspersons to set higher targets, including the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, and continue working towards achieving them.
The selection marked the fifth consecutive Asian Games since 2010 in which Nagaland’s Sepaktakraw players and coaches had represented India.
(Samuel, IA Chumoukedima)
