Secheku Range Sports Association (SRSA) & Centre Chakhesang Games and Sports Association (CCSA) friendly Sports Meet was held at Zhavame Village on Saturday.

Vevoyi W D Vadeo, President, Chakhesang Youth Organization Kohima (CYOK) graced the occasion as the special guest and his address expressed his delight on the gathering held under the theme ‘unity through sports’.

“It is such a fantastic gathering that so many youth leaders have turned up for this sports meet which has been truly branded as the show of unity and a show that the voice of the youth must be heard and our mindset is accepted to secure our future and our generations to come,” said Vadeo.

He remarked that the occasion is a day for all the good thoughts, beautiful aspirations and a show of never seen before spirit of oneness, unity, togetherness and a common voice. He said the society must ensure full participation of the youth for the development of the area.

The youth leader asserted that with the FIFA world cup underway, nothing could have been, better timed than Saturday’s event and added that sport is one of the few spaces where people can learn about different cultures in a spirit of trust and friendship

He stated that there are millions of athletics who have turned into millionaires simply by engaging in the activities that they once considered hobbies. Vadeo said, sports can therefore provide the youth with a way of fending for themselves in this world where white collar jobs have become scarce and manual jobs are being constantly replaced by technology.

Vadeo also said, “What unites us here in this moment is so much greater than what divides us. Let us find beauty in our differences. Let us try to make this beautiful moment last longer than just today.”

Vadeo went on to call upon the youth leaders to organise such programmes even in days to come adding that promoting youth is the most imperative challenge of the society particularly for the people of the Chakhesang tribe and Secheku Range where half or more of the population are youth.

Admitting the fact of the demographic realities, he said the youth hold an enormous potential for change and positive action and are the unique resource that can develop innovative solutions for development of the area.

He shared that the youth are champions for development and change in communities and societies and added that the society must ensure the full participation and inclusion of young people for a sustainable society.

Vadeo further said, “We will not attain and create a sustainable society, unless we invest in youth and partner with young people. Investing in young people’s education, health and employment etc. will ensure better prospects for their own lives and for our areas development.”

Meanwhile, he also advised the youth to understand and analyse what is going on in and around and find out opinions on social and political issues.

Lamenting that the present generation is struggling to differentiate between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’, he called for efforts to engage in formal socio-political processes, participate more responsibly and formulate today and tomorrow’s politics so that their voices are heard.

Vadeo also called upon the youth of the area to act as role models for others in the society and the generations to come, thereby making society a better place to live in with unity to accomplish any goal for the development of the area.

Vadeo had recently joined the NDPP party along with hosts of supporters and will be contesting in the forthcoming general elections in 2023 from 17th Chizami AC.

President of Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF), Vezhoduyi Nakhro also exhorted the event, while a short speech was also delivered by Vemudo D Vadeo, President of CCGSA, the programme was chaired by Vihoto Wozah VP SRSA.

Invocation was pronounced by Veduzo Chirha, Vice-president of CCGS; welcome address was delivered by Lucas Dukru, President of SRSA; special number was presented by Neizowu-u Women Coordinator SRSA and vote of thanks was said by Deto Khamo, Finance Secretary SRSA.

On the occasion football exhibition for men and volleyball for women played held.