Nagaland’s performance at the 2nd Northeast Olympic Games 2022 was laudable. Nagaland won a total of 79 medals including 18 gold, 17 silver and 44 bronze medals. Nagaland finished 5th in the overall medals tally. In 2018, during the 1st NE Olympic Games that was played in Manipur, Nagaland won 41 medals that included 6 gold, 9 silver and 26 bronze medals. Nagaland finished in 5th position in 2018 as well. The second edition of the region’s biggest sporting event saw hosts Meghalaya improving better than the other states. Meghalaya finished behind Nagaland in 6th place in the previous edition but finished in 4th position this time. Meghalaya won only 40 medals the last time. However, this time, they won 149 medals. Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh finished in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in exactly the same pattern in both editions of the games.
According to the tabulation of Nagaland Olympic Association, the athletes from Nagaland performed best in the discipline of athletics winning 9 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals, a total of 23 medals. That is no doubt a monumental achievement for a state like Nagaland where athletics is only just picking up. The icing on the cake was that the Best Athlete award for Above-20 men was Neiketoulie Belho of Nagaland, the 100m and Long Jump champion. Nagaland’s Niansai T was awarded the Best Athlete among Under-20 women for winning the 800m and 1500m. Unlike team events, athletics is one discipline where Nagas can perform at par with other states’ athletes and this has been proven at the 2nd NE Olympic Games. The athletes trained for just about 2 months under the supervision of the Nagaland Athletics Association, and the results speak for themselves. It is strongly felt that Naga athletes can compete with the best if they are given proper guidance and training.
Unfortunately, there was not a single athlete from Mokokchung representing the state in the athletics discipline. This calls for some serious introspection. Track and field athletic discipline is where Nagas can excel and our youths are naturally talented here. However, they need professional coaching and training if at all they are to compete at the highest level. Who will take up the task then? Sports is going to be the next big thing in Nagaland as far as employment and livelihood is concerned. Other districts are preparing to reap the dividends while Mokokchung is yet to wake up. While Kohima and Dimapur enjoy some natural advantages, there are athletes from districts like Phek and Noklak winning gold medals and producing champions. If we aspire to open the avenues for our athletes, it is about time to stop complaining and start making things happen. Only question is – who will take the lead?