Advisor and former president, Nagaland Volleyball Association, H.K Khulu, IAS (Retd) graced the opening ceremony of 3rd North East Games 2024 Volleyball (Men’s) at Shooting Complex, Chümoukedima on Tuesday organised by NVA under the aegis of the Nagaland Olympic Association, DIPR informed.

Speaking at the occasion, Khulu said that the North East is a part of a country that is lacking in terms of sports infrastructure yet over the years we have seen the quality of the games improve. He informed that, North East is 3.1 % of the whole country population and as record of 2016 contingent from the NE was 7% which is remarkable. We have so many sportspersons that had excel not only in the national level but international level as well, which shows that we can achieve many more as a powerhouse of sports, he said.

He encouraged the participants to strive, to excel, to put their names firmly on national & international level as there is no reason why we cannot succeed. In addition, he said one have to thrive and overcome but equally important is how one participate, how their true sportsmanship shine. It is not only winning and prize possession but the spirit of participation that will shine forth, he said.

In conclusion, he stated that, sports is the medium through which we can be unified. So forth, urged all participating teams to uphold the values of fair play, give their best, compete with passion and embody the spirit of unity and uniqueness.

In his presidential address, NVA, N Jacob Yanthan, expressed how honoured he was to witness the incredible talent and sportsmanship that will be displayed on these courts from March 19 to 23. He stated that volleyball is not just a game of strength and agility, but a dance of coordination and a test of teamwork and strategy.

He encouraged all the states participating team that their journey to this moment has been paved with dedication, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. They have been trained tirelessly to perfect every serve, spike and block and many more actions in series to see and now it’s their time to shine and showcase the result of hard work.

He hoped that the North East Games 2024 will be a platform for showcasing the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage and the boundless potential of our youth. He said that this event is not just a celebration of athletic prowess; it is a testament to the indomitable spirit and unity of North Eastern States. Further, he encouraged them to carry the aspirations of our entire region and perform to the best of their abilities and bring honour to the States and communities.

Highlights of the programme included invocation by Chaplain Nagaland, Pastor Visasier Kevichusa and song presented by Meribeni Patton.