After a long hiatus of about 25 years, the Forest Department, Nagaland participated in the 26th All India Forest Sports Meet(AIFSM) held at Panchkula, Haryana from 10th -14th March 2023.

About 2400 Forest personnel from across the length and breadth of the nation participated in the 5 (five) day event. The idea of AIFSM was conceptualized and held in Hyderabad in 1993 for the first time and has become a regular yearly affair since then.

The AIFSM aims to promote games and sports activities among the officers and staff of the Forest Department /organizations/institutions of the states, Union Territories, and the Central Government, thereby nurturing good health, team spirit, and camaraderie among them.

The event features a wide range of athletic competitions including track and field events, archery, rifle shooting, and various other conventional games and sports. A contingent of 10 persons represented Nagaland and actively participated in events like badminton, table tennis, carom, sprint, chess, powerlifting, rifle shooting, and quiz competition.

The need for participation in AFISM has been felt for a long time. It’s a matter of immense pride for our state that with the active initiative of the PCCF & HoFF, Nagaland, the long desire of the Department to participate in the event and showcase our latent potential has become a reality.

Efforts should be made to continue the journey more vigorously with the rest of the country as our state is the only one that has been missing out on the opportunity of participation. Surely, it will not only inculcate discipline and maintain the good health of the forest personnel but most importantly foster the spirit of oneness and boost the confidence of the officers and staff by exposing them at the pan India event.

(DIPR)