Li Ning 45th Inter District & State Open Badminton Championship 2023 & Nagaland Badminton Association Golden Jubilee Commemoration inaugural programme was held at Nagaland Legislative Assembly stadium on 10th July 2023 with Sharingain Longkumer Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly as the special guest of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharingain highlighted the evolution of the badminton games in India and how it became a game for all and excelled in producing world-class players. "We need to produce players in all levels be it the district, state, national and international too; NBA has the bigger responsibilities to shoulder in creating such platforms to identify talents at a young age and to inculcate the necessary set of skills which is required in the game, he added. He also congratulated the NBA and its founding members for bringing the association to glorious 50 years. He also encouraged the young players present in the tournament that the most important thing is the players themselves, the players need to train their mental temperament, maintain their physique, inculcate the skills, and importantly discipline; performing consistently with humility since the coaches and trainers will only teach them the skills and will provide good platforms. It is perseverance and commitment towards success but basic amenities should not be a reason to deter away from games and should not try to justify the lack of performance, he said. The government of today is focusing on uplifting the sports sector, he also added. Earlier in the programme, he also unveiled the Golden Jubilee Souvenir and the NBA website.
Kesonyu Yhome President of NBA, in his keynote address, mentioned two proposals to the government of Nagaland, firstly the proposal to demolish the indoor badminton stadium in Kohima and construct the state-of-the-art new sports with other required services and amenities, which will enable the major sports event, even the international events. Regardless of the training and regular coaching camps at various levels, badminton in the state has not grown beyond the point and one underlined point is the lack of scopes for livelihood, he said. NBA, therefore, proposed a policy to reserve a minimum of 5% job reservations in the group ‘C’ category in the government departments for the meritorious sports person.
Shanavas C DC & Chairperson DSC Kohima also while addressing the welcome note also highlighted the Nagas' love for badminton, he also mentioned the challenges faced in sports and games and how badminton sailed through the challenges and produced some eminent international players for the country.
Mengu Suokhrie presented a special item while Kekhriesetuo Ziephru NBA organizing Secretary chaired the programme.
(Thungti Chang, IA)
