Kohima, August 22 (MTNews): Speaking at the opening ceremony of the week-long Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games (NOPG) 2022, which was co-hosted by the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports on August 22, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated that despite limited resources, the state government was working hard to improve sports facilities in each and every district with the help of the Centre’s Khelo India Schemes.
Rio stated that it was a red letter day in the history of Nagaland Olympics, adding that it is coming together to promote and foster sports with the intent to promote oneness among the Nagas,
He went on to remark that the inclusion of Paralympics for people with special needs was how the NOPG slogan of “stronger together” was adopted, and he said that all 16 districts, with over 3,500 athletes and officials, are in Kohima to compete in these Olympics.
Rio said Nagaland is lacking behind in all spheres, particularly in sports and games, whereas other neighboring states succeed at the national level and represent the country at the international level, such as the recently concluded Commonwealth Games
“Youth are the hope, strength, and future of society and sports is one discipline that may bring fame to oneself, state, and country,” he added, encouraging young people to give their all with discipline, devotion, and drive in order to pursue a career in sports.
“Nagas are second to none, we have the talent and also the instinct to be sportspersons and excel but we have to work very hard to excel in this competitive arena,” Rio said.
The Chief Minister thanked all the officials and participants vying for the competitions from the districts and also encouraged them to keep up the ‘Sporting Spirit.’
The oath was administered by an Archer & Arjuna Awardee, Chekrovolu Swuro.
The NOPG will take place in three districts: Kohima, Dimapur, and Longleng.
Longleng district will host badminton, while Dimapur will host lawn tennis, shooting, and Paralympics events and Kohima will host archery, athletics, boxing, basketball, football, table tennis, taekwondo, and wushu.
On Tuesday, the state will host its first official Paralympics Games in the disciplines of Para-Bocce, Para-Judo, and Para-Shotput at VidhyaBhawan Higher Secondary School Dimapur.
The Paralympics will be a one-day event, with 65 Para-athletes, organizers, and officials taking part, according to NOA.
The NOPG will award seven trophies for the games, including Team Championship Winners, Team Championship Runners-Up, Team Championship 2nd Runner-Up, Spirit of Olympics Award, Olympic Fair Play Trophy, Outstanding Sportsman and Outstanding Sportswoman, in addition to medals for individual winners.
The inaugural ceremony featured the screening of a documentary on Nagaland’s athletic activities, as well as different cultural displays. The NOPG 2022 will come to an end on Saturday.