The Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) held a consultative meeting-cum-felicitation programme in honour of the incoming Advisor, Youth Resources & Sports, S. Keoshu Yimchunger at Talimeren Conference Room, NOA Office Complex, Kohima on 3rd April 2023.
In his address, the Advisor thanked the Nagaland Olympic Association and the Department of Youth Resources & Sports for the felicitation, and sought the cooperation of the Department and Association in the activities to be carried out in the coming days. He urged the Department and Association to work as a team and asked them to render valuable advice and suggestions to uplift the state in sports. Citing the examples of neighbouring states like Assam and Manipur, he was of the opinion that Nagaland too could excel at national and international level if we work hard with renewed spirit.
Secretary General, NOA & Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha while delivering key note address congratulated S. Keoshu Yimchunger on behalf of the NOA and the entire sports fraternity. Metha also assured that the Association would give full-fledged cooperation to the new Advisor. He said the NOA is the most fortunate Association in the State since the President of the Association is also the Chief Minister who has scripted history by becoming the Chief Minister of the state for a record fifth term.
Sports have been placed in the front and centre in our society. As such, he urged the representatives of different sports associations to work with renewed motivation on how to create platforms and avenues and win medals at national or international level. Citing the performances of our neighbouring states, he challenged that it is high time for our state also to change the narrative in the sporting world. Keeping this concern in mind, he strongly emphasized on the importance of working together; NOA and the Department, so as to pave way for our youth to achieve their aspirations.
Metha stated that there is a huge responsibility on every sports association and said that the representatives of those sports associations are answerable to the people. He also mentioned about the challenges and responsibilities of the NOA and the dept for the forthcoming North East Olympic and National Games.
He also emphasized on the need to have the passion for the sports if he/she is already in the association. He dwelled on the necessity to have world class infrastructure in the state in the area of capacity building and training, and further suggested on establishment of various sports departments, and mentioned about the MOU to be inked by NOA with the top universities in the country.
Metha opined on selected sports disciplines and said that prioritising of those disciplines is the key to succeed in winning the medals. We should understand the trends in sports and suggested that Nagas should focus more on weight categories due to our stature. Performance is the bottom line in sports, he added. Metha mentioned that 6 indoor stadiums have been completed in the state which will soon be inaugurated. Stadium should not be confined to badminton stadium alone but it should be a stadium for multi-disciplinary disciplines, he asserted. He also asked the different associations affiliated to NOA to come up with a road-map along with a yearly calendar.
He said NOA has commissioned 4 films on sports which will soon be screening in schools and other events to motivate and encourage sportspersons.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Assistant Secretary General, NOA, Neivikuolie Khatsü. Senior Vice President, NOA, T. Meren Paul chaired the programme. NOA affiliated Associations presented their reports during the programme. A host of dignitaries graced the programme.
(Nongozo Rikha, Assistant Director)
