It was a momentous journey for Team Nagaland as 236 athletes participated in 17 out of 18 disciplines in the recently concluded 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 held in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Nagaland secured the fifth spot with a total of 79 medals comprising of 18 gold, 17 silver and 44 bronze medals.
As announced and committed by the Chief Minister of Nagaland and President of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) Neiphiu Rio, all the medal winners were felicitated this evening with a cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, here at the Chief Minister State Banquet Hall, Kohima.
Addressing the occasion Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated Team Nagaland and NOA for bringing laurels to the state.
Stating that Nagaland was for a long time an insurgency state, he said till now it is known as a disturbed state and has the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) still in place.
Speaking on the Naga political issue, Rio added that although the Naga negotiating groups are under ceasefire and negotiations have been ongoing for the last 26 years, a settlement has not been reached. This has impacted the Naga society very badly in terms of governance, developmental activities and the youth, he further stated.
Rio also asserted that it was only after 41 years that Nagaland was affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association. He said although the state is lacking behind in the field of sports, he has hope in the youth and their natural talents and abilities.
“In the first NE Olympic Games, Nagaland won 40 medals. In the second game, we have doubled it. This shows to us if we have the infrastructure and if we give the support, give the right platform to the youths, they will achieve, excel and they will bring laurels to the state,” the Chief Minister said.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Northeastern states for trusting Nagaland and handing over the NE Olympic flag to the state to host the 3rd NE Olympic games.
He added that with all humility the state has accepted the flag and now it is for the state to start and not rest on the laurels. “This should be a beginning to the higher level. Your victory is a big challenge for all of us. This is a good beginning for us to start winning from the NE and getting prepared to go to the National Games,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the state will have to invest in infrastructures and should be able to make national and international standard arenas in order to give equal opportunity to the sportspersons.
NOA Secretary General Abu Metha, in his brief address, said it was an indication that Naga society, the present government and the present political dispensation is extending all out support to the youth of Nagaland specially in the field of sports and games.
“The arena of sports and games have become the modern-day battlefields, the progress of the people, the development of a nation and how much a country has matched ahead is reflected in its achievements and performances at the international arena of sports. While the politics of the world divides, it is the glow of sport that brings nations and people together,” stated Metha.
He also announced that the NOA is the first institution in Nagaland and one of the first sport institutions in the country to get ISO 9OO2 Certification. He said, “It took weeks and months of scrutiny and observation for this global organisation Hq in the UK for Nagaland Olympic Association to achieve this certification.”
During the felicitation program, the North East Olympic Association Flag was handed over to the Chief Minister of Nagaland by the NOA.
A cultural presentation was followed in honour of the visiting G20 Secretariat.
Read more: Nagaland Athletics congratulates athletics team for performance at NE Olympic Games
