The ongoing paper war between the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) establishment and its functionary, none other than its current vice president and erstwhile treasurer, is a sad chapter in the sports association’s history and should be of concern for all sports loving citizens of the state. It can be brushed off as a ‘normal’ affair. The association and the functionaries can be made into a laughing stock, as is happening in social media platforms. Or, it can be thoroughly investigated and the truth revealed in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland in general and the sporting community in particular. Regardless of what the NOA establishment has clarified, it is now obligated to prove itself clean by coming out in the open transparently. The fact that the chief minister of the state is also the president of NOA in itself is a cause of concern for most neutral observers. It also portrays a negative image of the organization because, regardless of how genuinely the organization might be functioning, it can never hide its political color. It may be true that there are also other sports organizations elsewhere, in other states, where politicians hold offices of sports organizations but that does not mean that we too should follow suit.
The allegations put forward by the NOA vice president, whether true or not, partly or wholly, is one thing but the crux of the matter here is that the very organization that is supposed to be a trusted vehicle of producing sporting champions has been marred with controversy. And it will take a lot of sincere effort on the part of all involved to regain the lost trust. Otherwise, NOA will be looked upon as just another extension of the political establishment of the ruling dispensation, a tool in the hands of the government of the day. While sportspersons from neighbouring states are making podium finishes at international events, it is a tragedy that our top sports body is marred in controversy – of its own making in a way. It is also observed that, no matter how genuine and sincere the functionaries may be, there will always be misgivings as long as the organization is under the sway of political personalities.
It would bode well for the NOA to remain an independent organization, free from government interference. The government, on its part, can support the organization and facilitate overall promotion and development of sports without actually interfering in the day to day functions of the organization. Sports, no doubt, is a huge industry and the opportunities are unlimited for those who are talented and hardworking. The sports industry is projected to grow even bigger in the future. As such, our young talents deserve a trustworthy organization to pave the path for them.