Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 17
The three day long 23rd Inter District- cum- Nagaland Open Table Tennis Championship 2018 under the aegis of Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA) got underway here today at Indoor TT Stadium.
Around 100 participants from Dimapur, Peren, Kohima, Phek, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Wokha and Mon districts registered for this 23rd edition, which will go on till October 19. Addressing the opening ceremony as host, Youth Resources & Sports Advisor, Er Zale Neikha said that Nagas are second to none and have the talent and potential to excel in the field of sports.
“Yet, we Nagas are unable to choose for ourselves the sports that suits our physic and we tend to participate in all form of sports,” Neikha regretted.
He also stated that Nagas do not maintain proper diet, adding “our sportsperson do not maintain health fitness standard, our sportsperson do not undergo proper training camps.”
Generally, he said, we become too complacent with small achievements.
Neikha said that Nagas have the mentality that only education can guarantee us employment opportunities, while undermining that sport is also an area where one can earn laurels and achieve for ourselves honour and glory.
He recalled that Chekrovolu Swuro, because of her dedication and achievements in archery, has been honoured with the lucrative post of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
He stressed on the need to shift gears and change old mindset and have broader outlook to become prominent sportspersons.
Further, he challenged the players to give their best and compete in the true spirit of the game.
NTTA vice president Kezhaletuo Meze administered oath to the players.
DUDA Advisor, N Bongkhao Konyak was also present at the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was compered by Kethose Chiizho.
