Nagaland has added 16 new sports infrastructure projects across multiple districts, marking one of the State’s largest recent expansions of sports facilities aimed at improving access to training and promoting sports as a source of employment and opportunity.
The projects, inaugurated on Friday by Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, comprise four facilities developed under the Khelo India scheme and 12 funded by the State Government through the Department of Youth Resources & Sports.
The new infrastructure includes multipurpose halls, indoor sports halls, futsal grounds and administrative facilities spread across Mokokchung, Niuland, Wokha, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Mon, Kohima, Dimapur and Peren districts.
Among the Khelo India projects are multipurpose halls at Changtongya and Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district, a multipurpose hall in Niuland district, and a pre-fabricated indoor sports hall in Wokha.
The State-funded projects include futsal facilities at Kiphire, Noklak and Wokha Town, a futsal ground with amenities at Chozuba, pre-fabricated multipurpose halls at Wokha Village, Aboi, Tobu, Razaphe Basa, Jakhama Town, the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex in Kohima and MDSC, Dimapur, besides the Department of Youth Resources & Sports office and staff quarters at the new district headquarters in Peren.
Speaking at the inauguration program held at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex in Kohima, Rio said the Government has adopted a long-term strategy to strengthen sports infrastructure across Nagaland and provide athletes with better training facilities.
He said the newly completed projects represent more than physical infrastructure, describing them as investments that create opportunities for young people across the State.
Observing that sports have evolved into an industry capable of generating employment, Rio said strengthening coaching, improving infrastructure and increasing exposure for athletes would help nurture sporting talent and enable Nagaland’s youth to compete at higher levels.
The program was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton, Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports S. Keoshu Yimchunger, legislators and government officials.
