The Department of Youth Resource and Sports, Government of Nagaland, has set the target to send Sepaktakraw athletes to the Commonwealth Games 2026, Director Kethosituo Sekhose said on 21st May 2024 at a press conference held at the Directorate of YR&S in Kohima.
Sekhose informed that the Department has initiated the ‘Catch Them Young’ programme specifically for Sepaktakraw with the objective to discover talents at the grassroot level and nurture them. He said that the programme will continue for at least five years instead of shifting focus to other sports.
“If we are able to produce good players within these two years’ time, perhaps they will be able to feature in the Indian national team,” Sekhose stated, adding that this will present a very good chance for the national team to secure a position in the medals tally, particularly in the field of Sepaktakraw at the Commonwealth Games where the discipline will be included for the first time.
He further informed among the Commonwealth Nations, Malaysia holds the top place in Sepaktakraw, followed by India.
Read more: 16th State Level Catch Them Young (U-14) Sepaktakraw Tournament 2024 begins
The Director also said that the Department is planning to take some athletes to Thailand for intensive coaching likely in the month of September or October, upon approval from the State Government. He exuded hope that on returning from 30-45 days coaching in Thailand, the players will be able to represent Nagaland in the national level.
Mention may be made that two players from the State were selected for the 19th Asian Games held at Guahzhou, China in 2023. Four Naga athletes were also in the Indian team that secured two gold medals at the 5th South Asian Sepaktakraw Championship held in Kathmandu in February 2024.
In November 2023, the State’s women’s team also secured a silver and bronze medal at the National Games, Goa.
Earlier this year the State team earned six medals including one gold, four silver and one bronze at the North East Games 2024 hosted by Nagaland.
