Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Y M Humtsoe inaugurated the Khelo India Centre (Badminton) at Indoor Badminton Stadium, Wokha on Monday.

In his speech, Humtsoe thanked the Government of India and State Government for encouraging the youngsters of the district to participate in the field of sports. He said that the centre will enable them to represent the district and the state and the country in national and international events. He said that the district has immense talent at the grass root level but due to lack of opportunities and facilities, it could produce only negligible number of sports persons. However, he expressed his optimism that with the introduction of Khelo India scheme, the district could produce lots of sports person.

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Humtsoe also reminded all the stakeholders of the district, that the district has a responsibility to encourage the youngsters to take up sports as a profession to produce more sports persons. He also assured the youngsters of the district that the local representatives of the district will come forward and provide support to individuals who take up games and sports seriously.

MLA Y M Humtsoe, Wokha DC Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS, dignitaries and young players at the inauguration of Khelo India Centre (Badminton) on 8 May 2023

Deputy Commissioner Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS speaking on the occasion, said that the day was momentous for the district as it is the first Khelo India Centre in the district and expressed his gratitude to the GoI and the State Government for setting up the centre.

DC Ranjan assured that the centre will provide necessary equipment, coaching facilities and other kinds of support to the sports persons, particularly to the young and upcoming sports persons, and added that with the training facilities, the centre will nurture the young talents of the district.

Stating that sports is not just about winning medals, the DC said it also builds personalities, which inspires a person to inculcate the values of dedication, perseverance and hard work which ultimately leads to achieving excellence. He further encouraged the participants to excel in whatever they do and hoped that through the centre and with development taking place in the field of sports, the youth of the district will inculcate the values and help them keep distance from harmful behaviours such as drug-use.

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao award was presented to Chumreno and Erenbeni Lotha for their achievements in Archery and Badminton.

At the program, K Libemo Jami, District Youth Resources Officer, Wokha delivered a welcome address as well as the introductory remarks while joint secretary, Wokha District Badminton Association, James Tungoe proposed the vote of thanks.

After the formal programme, MLA Humtsoe and DC Ranjan entertained the gathering with a playful exhibition game.

(With Inputs from DIPR)