Pursuing a career in professional sports offers a wealth of opportunities and benefits, including financial stability, personal growth, and the chance to represent one’s community and nation on prestigious platforms. For many, sports become a pathway to success, enabling individuals to break barriers and achieve recognition. However, despite its rich heritage and talent pool, Mokokchung district is lagging behind other districts in Nagaland when it comes to sports development and participation. One of the critical factors contributing to this shortfall is the absence of a sports academy in Mokokchung.
While other districts have established infrastructures to nurture young talent, Mokokchung lacks such facilities, leaving many aspiring athletes without the resources and training required to excel. This deficit is further compounded by limited awareness and support from the community and parents, who often prioritize conventional career paths over sports.
The Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports has announced selection trials for induction into Indira Gandhi Academy, Kohima and State Sports Hostel, Dimapur for under-14 years age category for the academic session 2025 as published in this newspaper on 10 December. The Indira Gandhi Academy, Kohima, and the State Sports Hostel, Dimapur, offer structured training and education for under-14 athletes in disciplines such as archery, boxing, wrestling, taekwondo, football, athletics, and sepaktakraw.
These institutions are not only grooming future champions but also providing a holistic environment where students learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Unfortunately, Mokokchung has a dismal representation in these institutions, missing out on the chance to showcase and develop its untapped potential.
Parents and the community in Mokokchung must reconsider their perception of sports as merely a pastime. By encouraging children to participate in the selection trials and pursue formal training in these academies, they can help lay the foundation for a brighter future—not just for individual athletes but for the district as a whole.
Supporting children to join these institutions will expose them to professional coaching, advanced facilities, and competitive environments that are crucial for success in modern sports.
Moreover, the community’s involvement is pivotal in building a sports culture. Local organizations, clubs, and leaders should advocate for the establishment of a sports academy in Mokokchung so that young talents can thrive without the need to relocate. Until then, leveraging existing opportunities in Kohima and Dimapur remains a practical solution.
Mokokchung’s athletes have the potential to excel, but this requires a collective effort from parents, schools, and the wider community. There is a need to bridge the gap and ensure Mokokchung’s rightful place in Nagaland’s sporting arena. The upcoming selection trials present an excellent opportunity to take the first step towards this goal.
