Nagaland Athletics would host the Annual General Meeting of the Athletic Federation of India in Kohima. This is the first time a National Sports Federation would hold its AGM in Nagaland. This was disclosed by the Secretary General of Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha on Friday.
Speaking to media at the Nagaland Olympic Association office in Kohima , Metha said that the meeting would be from April 13 to 16 and termed it as “historic event”.
The secretary general also congratulated the medalists of Nagaland team who participated in the recently concluded the Khelo India Tribal Games. He also acknowledged Nagaland team for their exceptional sportsmanship.
“It is the first time we are participating and we won number of medals. Especially in athletics, we won three medals, one bronze, one silver and one gold. It shows that there is potential in Nagaland. And with more attention, with more support, we are confident that our athletes will do well,” he exuded confidence.
Metha congratulated Team Nagaland and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports for Nagaland’s exceptional performance at the first ever Khelo India Tribal Games.
Stating that this would be the first time that a national sports federation is having an AGM in Nagaland, Methat said the Athletic Federation of India is taking this step because the federation believes in inclusivity, diversity and using the platform of sport to promote national integration, national unity.
The secretary general also added that AFI is taking this opportunity to spread its wings and to create opportunities for entire country through the platform of sport to have a sense of belonging to the national mainstream and to contribute to the nation-building process.
“Close to a hundred delegates from all over the country, every state of the Indian Union, Union Territories and sports boards are corporate partners and representatives of private sector will be here for a three-day AGM which will be held at Hotel Vivor in Kohima,” Metha said.
Abu Metha also informed that they are also expecting legendary athletes, former sportspersons, national award winners, Arjuna Awardees. He further stated that they would be welcoming the entire executive of the Athletic Federation of India , the President of the South Asian Athletic Federation, the Vice President of World Athletics amongst many others.
“Legendary sportspersons like Bahadur Singh, Anju Bobby George, Jyoti Shikda and many others will come and participate,” he maintained.
Metha also emphasized that entire India would come and participate and the Association would not only discuss about the activities of the Athletic Federation of India but the AGM would work on a strategic roadmap for the Indian team preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championship, World Indoor Championship, World Under-20 Championships and a number of international events which India will be participating in and a strategic roadmap will be prepared.
He also added that the AGM would discuss preparation of Indian team, where they will have the coaching camp and which country which athletes will go to.
“We will also discuss development and promotion of athletics, how to spread athletic development across the country, infrastructure development and also how to bring the Northeast and Nagaland into the national ecosystem. The AGM being held here is very significant and historic because we all know that Kohima is a historic city,” he stated.
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Metha highlighted that the AGM coming here, determining national policy, national strategies is in line with the iconic and historic city that Kohima . He hoped that the Association will be taking historic decisions which would benefit generations to come, athletes, youth, the sports fraternity.
The AFI, he said would also have a meeting with every district athletic association. Terming this is a special feature, he said the Association is planning so that the grassroots level of the sport, the administrators would get an opportunity to interact with the Federation and with opportunity to interact with legendary athletes.
Metha also said that the Association would discuss Nagaland and Northeast separately, how to enhance the education program, education of human resources.
“There are certain agendas we will discuss separately for Nagaland and the Northeast ,” Metha added.
The secretary general also mentioned that a senior delegation of the AFI would have discussions with the state government, with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Governor, Nand Kishore Yadav to see how the Association can collaborate, partner and work together towards developing the sport in Nagaland.
Extending his gratitude to the state government and the Chief Minister, Metha informed that Chief Minister would be inaugurating the AGM in the inaugural session and the Governor would host the entire delegation at Raj Bhawan and interact with them.
Metha also added that there are also discussions in place, how to take up grassroots development in this part of the country. “I think coming here for the AFI, seeing for themselves what is the situation and also recognizing the fact that we have tremendous talent, is itself a benefit for everybody. Also, it’s significant in a sense, as I said, we’ve never hosted an AGM of any sports federation,” he said.
Metha said that the AFI officials would also be meeting the department officials and the advisor of Youth Resource and Sports. And during every AGM, every state association is to submit a comprehensive report.
He added that the Nagaland Athletics will be doing a PowerPoint presentation to the AGM, in which the overall infrastructure, whatever exists, is also mentioned in the PowerPoint presentation.
Metha further informed that the Federation would also have a cultural and tourist experience of Nagaland. He said that 100 very senior, high-profile personalities coming here, is also an opportunity for them to experience Nagaland, take back good memories, see some of the best practices here, some of the best sights, experience Naga culture, and take that message to the rest of the country.
