Süngratsü Sports Complex to be renamed in honour of Late Dr Imtiwapang Aier

The Süngratsü Sports Complex, located about 15 km from Mokokchung district headquarters at the Impur–Süngratsü–Yimchalu tri-junction, an emerging sporting destination in the district, is set to be rechristened as the Dr Imtiwapang Aier Sports Complex, coinciding with the Moatsü celebration of Süngratsü village on May 3.

TR Zeliang, Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highways, Nagaland, will inaugurate the sports complex as the chief guest, in the presence of Kichungle, wife of the late Dr Imtiwapang Aier. Zeliang is also the brother-in-law of the late Aier. Rev. L Yapang Mollier, Executive Secretary (Officiating) & Secretary, Church & Mission, ABAM Impur, will offer the dedicatory prayer.

Born on January 22, 1973, Aier earned his B.Sc (Geology) from NEHU in 1994, M.Sc (Geology) from Nagaland University in 1996, and Ph.D. (Engineering Geology) from NU in 2005. He was honored as an IBC Member and Leading Scientist of the World 2011 by Cambridge University, London.

Aier served as MLA of 23 Impur Assembly Constituency (2013–2018) and as Parliamentary Secretary for Geology and Mining. On March 21, 2017, he was elected Speaker of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, becoming the first legislator from Mokokchung district to hold the post. He was re-elected in 2018 and passed away on January 7, 2023.

The Süngratsü Senso Mungdang had adopted a resolution in 2000 to construct a sports complex, appointing I Toshitsungba Aier, IPS, as convener. The village had earlier built three playgrounds during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The 2000 resolution aimed to develop a proper sports facility to benefit not only the village but the entire block and district.

On May 8, 2001, an agreement was reached with landowners, who generously donated land for the complex. Construction was completed in 2010 at a total cost of Rs 21 lakh.

The Süngratsü Senso Mungdang recently resolved to name the complex after Dr Imtiwapang Aier, who played a key role in its further development.

MT