CM Neiphiu Rio addressed members of the Nagaland sports contingent who have been selected to represent Nagaland in the upcoming NE Olympic Games to be held in Shillong, Meghalaya from 30 October-6 November 2022.
In his address, Rio encouraged the athletes to train hard and conveyed his wishes for a successful Olympic.
Happy to address the Nagaland contingent for NE Olympic Games 2022, Shillong. Over 300 sportspersons will be competing in 17 disciplines. Cash awards will be given to all medal winners. The Govt is committed to our sportspersons. Best wishes & hope they bring laurels to the State pic.twitter.com/OZWXgWLCxf
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) October 27, 2022
He informed that the State Government will be giving a cash award of Rs 50,000 for those winning Gold, Rs 25,000 for Silver and Rs 10,000 for Bronze.
Announcing this, Rio also said that the State government will be constructing new indoor stadium as well as astro-turf in all the districts which he said, is also a part of the 2018 NDPP Nagaland Election manifesto.
Meren Paul, Senior Vice President of Nagaland Olympic Association welcomed the gathering which was held at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.
Associate Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India, Abu Metha also appraised the gathering of the special efforts being put in.
Abu Metha said that NOA had roped in two coaches from the Athletes Federation of India (AFI) to assist the athletes in preparation for the games.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the initiatives that has been taken in promoting sports and sportsperson in the state.
Nagaland Olympic Association is conducting rigorous training at different locations for the event.
Nagaland Olympic Association had earlier informed that Nagaland Athletics team is undergoing intensive coaching under the guidance of national level coaches from the Athletics Federation Of India & State coaches ahead of the North-East Olympic Games to be held in Shillong, Meghalaya.
The NagalandAthletics team is undergoing intensive coaching under the guidance of national level coaches from the AthleticsFederationOfIndia & State coaches ahead of the NorthEastOlympicGames to be held in #Shillong, #Meghalaya. The Athletics family wishes the team all success. pic.twitter.com/3nuiSZL4mN
— NagalandAthletics (@NagaAthletics) October 26, 2022
At IG Stadium, Kohima, where about 30 athletes will compete in various track & field events are undergoing training since 10th October, Coaches and Players expressed satisfaction at the arrangements and progress.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Coach Khriezotuonuo Theunuo thanked the Associate Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India Abu Metha for bringing in two coaches from the Athletes Federation of India (AFI) to assist the athletes in preparation for the games.
She also emphasised having more coaches in the future as there are several track & field events at present but only a few coaches. Expressing confidence in the athletes, the coach hoped that they would perform better this year.
When asked about the prospect of the game, one of the athletes told Nagaland Tribune, “I feel good being allowed to expose my talent in such a big event and I will be looking forward to performing my best”.
The athletes mentioned that their preparations are going well and that the association has been fully supportive. Stating that they had faced challenges regarding the infrastructure in the past, they said they are happy to have the opportunity this time around to prepare at the IG Stadium with good tracking field facilities and under the mentorship of able coaches.
