The inaugural program of the 68th National School Games U-19 Sepak Takraw for girls was held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima with Advisor to Chief Minister & Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India and General Secretary of Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha inaugurating the program as special guest on November 25.
Speaking at the Inaugural programme, Abu Metha said that Nagaland is a small state called the land of festivals located in the far corner of the country with seventeen tribes and a number of sub- tribes. Asserting that Nagaland may be small in sizes but an important contributor to India’s nation building process, Metha said for more than sixty years Nagaland has contributed to India forward march, where we have placed the bravest soldiers in the boundaries of India to protect its citizens and our sports person have represented India in the national and international events.
Abu mention that Kohima is a historical place, because the greatest battle of the second world war was fought in this place, the very place where the stadium is build was part of the battle field. The forces of Japan, British and the allied forces fought here to change the course of the world history. On behalf of the Government of Nagaland Abu Metha also conveys his best wishes to all the participants and team mangers.
Congratulating all the participants, he said that sports teach us to be discipline, committed and it tells us that if you work hard, you will win. Exhorting the players that if you run the extra mile, you have the potentiality to become the champion, Metha urged the players to always bear in their minds that everything is possible in this world if you walk the extra mile. He urged the players to respect the game, coaches and the people who make you play and called upon all the players to be the Ambassadors of Nagas to tell the world that Nagaland is a wonderful place and the smiles on the face of the people are real because sports have the power to unite people across the world.
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In his short speech, Advisor for Youth Resource & Sports, Keoshu Yimkhiung said that today we stand on this platform not just celebrating a sport but we are celebrating the spirt of youth dedication to excellence and the limitless potential of our young athletes. He said Sepak Takraw is not just a game, it is an art form, a sport that is beautifully combines grace with power, precision with strategy and individual skill with team work, and added that it requires not only physical agility but also immense mental strength and coordination. Today you have the opportunity to showcase your talent on a national platform representing not just yourself but also your schools, families and your communities, he added.
The event will bring together 17 teams from various states across the country to compete in the exciting sports of Sepak Takraw. The event was organised by the Department of Youth Resource and Sports (DYRS) in collaboration with the School of Games Federation of India (SGFI).
