In a landmark initiative to empower differently-abled youth and revolutionize the para-sports ecosystem in the Northeast, the Para Volleyball Federation of India (PVFI) officially launched the Nagaland Paravolley Association (NPVA) during a foundational awareness symposium held in Kohima on July 31.
The event marked the integration of Nagaland into PVFI’s aggressive national grassroots expansion, aiming to build a formidable pipeline of para-athletes for the upcoming World Championship in China.
The symposium witnessed a powerful convergence of state administrative leadership, attended by the Secretary of Youth Resource and Sports as the Chief Guest.
The collective presence of these dignitaries highlighted a unified governmental commitment to the Khelo India and Sugamya Bharat initiatives. The program was chaired by Carrey YA Konyak, General Secretary Designate of the NPVA, who welcomed the gathering and emphasized the state’s readiness to embrace inclusive high-performance sports.
Delivering the visionary keynote address, Hachamo Patton, National Executive Member of the PVFI and President Designate of the NPVA, stated, “For generations, the narrative around our ‘Divyang’ youth has been one of welfare and sympathy. True, high-performance sports turns sympathy into profound respect. Our Naga youth possess explosive upper-body strength, split-second reflexes, and a warrior spirit. Through the NPVA, we are providing them a world-class platform to transition from the sidelines of life to the international courts.”
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The technical framework of the sport was presented by Shreyaman Bhargava, Primary Consultant to the PVFI. He briefed the state administration on the mechanics of Para Sitting Volleyball and the strict international medical classification system (VS1 and VS2) designed to ensure absolute fair play. He further outlined PVFI’s ongoing national expansion, which targets the establishment of structured para-volleyball ecosystems in 453 districts across 22 states.
A major highlight of the afternoon was the official unveiling of the NPVA logo by the esteemed Special Guests, symbolizing the formal birth of the association.
The event concluded with an open forum where dignitaries from the Department of Social Welfare, the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, and the Nagaland Olympic Organisation pledged their collaborative support. Discussions centered on departmental convergence to provide the newly formed state body with necessary infrastructure, equipment subsidies, and stadium access, ensuring that athletes from the most remote districts of Nagaland have the resources to excel.
Kethose Chuzho, Vice-President Designate of the NPVA, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the state government and the PVFI for turning this vision into reality. With the formal establishment of the NPVA, Nagaland is now strategically positioned to scout, train, and send a highly competitive state team to the next National Para Sitting Volleyball Championship, with the ultimate goal of seeing Naga athletes represent India on the global stage.
