A felicitation programme was organised for the Olympians of Noklak District who participated in the 2nd edition of the Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 at Conference Hall, DUDA guest house Kohima under the theme, Stronger Together, on 30 August 2022.
Noklak district sent six sports associations to the state Olympic games comprising of 77 players in total (35 males and 22 females). The Noklak team won 18 medals overall – eight gold, six silver and four bronze – and made a mark by winning three awards at the end of the games.
Tsujen C was awarded the Fastest Woman of the Olympic games, breaking the record of the 100 meters in 13.45 sec. Tsuchoi was handed Outstanding Sportswoman of the games, winning five medals overall – three in individual events (1500 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters) and two in the relay races. The Noklak team was also awarded the title of Athlete Team Champion (Women) of the games.
During the felicitation programme, gold medalist Tsuchoi spoke on behalf of the players, thanking the Nagaland Olympic Association for providing a platform for sports players and the Khiamniungan Sports Council (KSC) for guidance. She stated that this was not the end but the beginning for them all, and added, to make good sportsmen and women, proper infrastructure and guidance is the need of the hour.
The Khiamniungan Sports Council President Mushu Lam spoke to Nagaland Tribune and expressed his gratitude to the Nagaland Olympic Association for giving a platform like the Nagaland Olympic games for sports players. Lam pointed out that Noklak has been able to produce fine athletes despite challenges and the district being young (Noklak became the 12th district of Nagaland on 21 December 2021). If only time and opportunities are given, he stated, Nagaland as a whole can even go up to the national level provided the government provides assistance in the best possible way.
Lam also shared the challenges faced by the district in the field of sports – of not having proper guidance, training, grounds or other facilities despite the youths displaying great enthusiasm for sports. He said potential athletes mostly come from rural areas but they give up on sports due to the sport kits being highly expensive and unaffordable.
“There are no stadiums but because of their interest, they practice. Sometimes, the players have to go to Tuensang to practice badminton,” Lam stated.
It is learnt that the Khiamniungan Sports Council will set up a Multi-Hall in Noklak, and the district is looking forward to the formation of an Athletic Association. Presently, Noklak has six sports associations – football, badminton, taekwondo, wushu, volleyball and archery – although faced with poor facilities.
The KSC president also said the district organises a Sports Meet once every year where players are selected for greater events. He added that some Noklak Olympians are set to participate in the Northeast Olympic Games in Shillong, Meghalaya, adding that he hopes and looks forward to the players bringing home more medals,
