The inauguration ceremony for the newly established practice cricket pitches in Kohima district took place on January 21 at Kohima Science College, Kohima. The pitches will be officially opened at three locations: D. Khel Ground, T. M School Ground, and Kohima Science College Ground.
The event was graced by Temjen Wapang, Principal of Kohima Science College, as the special guest. In his address, Wapang highlighted the growing importance of cricket in Nagaland, noting that it is increasingly becoming a viable career option for many Nagas. He emphasized that cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports in the region and expressed pride in the Nagaland Cricket Association’s (NCA) affiliation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), one of the largest and most resourceful cricket boards globally. He also expressed optimism about the bright future of cricket in Nagaland.
Reflecting on the current state of sports infrastructure in Nagaland, Wapang acknowledged the challenges faced by the state, particularly the lack of basic facilities such as football grounds, let alone cricket grounds. He noted that Nagaland lags behind neighboring states in terms of sports infrastructure but praised the efforts of associations like the Kohima District Cricket Association (KDCA) for their commendable work. He emphasized that students and aspiring athletes stand to benefit the most from these initiatives.
Menguvilie Sakhrie, President of the KDCA, spoke about Kohima’s potential to become a thriving cricket hub. He described the inauguration of the practice pitches as the first step in this journey and highlighted the association’s efforts to revive cricket in the region. He also shared that the KDCA has organized coaching camps and tournaments to reignite interest in the sport and bring it back to life. Additionally, he revealed that 14 players from Kohima are currently representing Nagaland in various categories:
– U23 Girls: 1
– Senior Women’s Team:4
– U16 Boys: 2
– U19 Boys: 4
– U23 Men’s Team:3
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Anilo Khing, Honorary Secretary of the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA), shared insights into the NCA’s contributions to the development of cricket in the state. He mentioned that the NCA currently manages eight teams, benefiting approximately 120 players. Khing emphasized that cricket is not just a sport but a source of livelihood for many, from coaches to players. He noted that cricket has a significant impact on the state’s economy, with professional fees paid to players generating substantial income.
Khing also informed that the NCA, with the support of various stakeholders, has constructed over 80 cricket pitches across Nagaland. He reiterated the NCA’s commitment to promoting the sport and mentioned that two players from Nagaland were recently honored at the BCCI awards ceremony, showcasing the state’s growing talent.
Advisor of the KDCA, Keviselhou Sekhose, who chaired the program, stated that this initiative is part of a project aimed at nurturing budding cricketers. He shared that Kohima now boasts eight cricket nets, which have played a crucial role in improving the skills of local players and helping them compete with players from other states. He acknowledged the KDCA as one of the top-performing cricket associations in Nagaland, contributing significantly to the development of the sport in the region.
The event was organized by the Kohima District Cricket Association (KDCA).
