Kohima, Aug 24 (IANS) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that sports have significant potential to generate employment and promote youth development, adding that the state government is working to strengthen infrastructure and create a conducive sports ecosystem to nurture talent from the grassroots level.
The Chief Minister said that Nagaland had produced three Olympians despite the challenges of inadequate infrastructure in the past. He observed that sports had significant potential today, including as a source of employment, and said that the state government was working towards improving infrastructure and creating a conducive sports ecosystem to develop talent from the grassroots level.
Rio said that the achievements of sportspersons brought recognition to Nagaland but also carried a responsibility to motivate and inspire the younger generation. He further observed that Nagaland had come a long way in the field of sports, noting that the state had secured affiliation with the Olympic movement only four decades after attaining statehood.
A send-off ceremony for Nagaland’s representatives to the 20th Asian Games, Japan 2026, was held at the Conference Room of the Nagaland Cricket Association in Chumoukedima on Monday. The Nagaland representatives to the Asian Games included women players Menenu Tsukru and Seyiekhrieno Tepa, and coaches Puleno Neikha and Pungotolu Puro. They were selected to be part of the Indian Women’s Sepaktakraw Team for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Speaking at the programme, the Chief Minister congratulated the players and coaches on their selection to represent India at the Asian Games. He said their talent, hard work and dedication had earned them the opportunity to represent the country at the national and international levels. He assured the sportspersons of continued support from the state government and encouraged the youth of Nagaland to work hard and pursue sports with commitment to represent the State and the country at the highest level.
Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman, Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland IDAN, Abu Metha, thanked the Chief Minister for his guidance and support towards strengthening the sports ecosystem in the state. He described the occasion as a significant moment for the people of Nagaland and said that the achievement of the sportspersons reflected the importance given to sports by the State Government.
Referring to Sepaktakraw, he said that the sport had consistently brought medals at national and international events and wished the players and coaches the very best in their upcoming competition.
Metha also highlighted the progress being made in sports in Nagaland, including improvements in infrastructure and the development of the sports ecosystem.
The selection marked the fifth consecutive Asian Games since 2010 in which Nagaland’s Sepaktakraw players and coaches had represented India.
