Exposure in national arena is vital for any sportsperson from the state. Every sports person takes pride in representing the state, in taking a game to a new level and bringing recognition.
In this context, the participation in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KYIG) from January 9-20 holds great significance for the state. The KYIG is the revamped edition of Khelo India School Games, which started last year with around 3500 young athletes. The number has almost tripled with 9000 athletes this year, as its scope expanded to allow participants in two categories, (Under 17) and (Under 21), enabling even students from colleges and Universities to compete at the 12-day event in Pune.
Touted as the “grassroot level hunt for sportspersons” in India, it is part of the Union Government‘s Khelo India Scheme launched during the financial year 2017-18 with a view to achieving the “twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports” and “infuse sports culture and achieve sporting excellence in the country. It is a national flagship programme for development of sports will give the sports person the platform to exhibit their skills.
According to reports, out of 9000 athletes, Maharashtra has close to 900 athletes, officials and coaches, making it by far the biggest contingent at the Games. The numbers of athletes can be taken as a measure of growth in sportspersons in respective disciplines.
The North East region, blessed with talented youths in the sports arena, is always considered as an area requiring more avenues for them to excel in their respective sports. They were adequately represented with Manipur and Mizoram sending over 100 athletes, while Assam and Arunachal Pradesh had over 50. It was followed by Tripura at 33 and Meghalaya with 18 athletes.
While Nagaland had achieved several milestones, both individually and collectively in 2018, the state's contingent in the current KYIG is a big surprise as well as a cause for grave concern for all sports lover in the state. It was lowest among the 7 states, with mere 13 athletes: 5 Athletics, 4 Wrestling, 2 Boxing and 2 Archery. No wonder, they were quietly sent off without the usual fanfare that accompanies such event.
Is the gross under-representation a sign of dearth of talents in the state? Over 18 disciplines of games and sports are included in KYIG, with Naga’s favourite game like football, wrestling, badminton, volleyball and judo, among other categories.
While there might logistical as well other conditionality, it is pertinent that the sports persons are given exposure in the national arena. The KYIG is one such exposure where outstanding performers will be identified, prioritised and hone for an international set up.
The onus lies on the state government to come up with a sports policy that encourages talented youths to undertake sporting activities and create necessary infrastructures to augment their talents. To realize the vision of the policy, it is imperative to look into a need-based approach of various sports and its potential in the state while enabling level playing for all talented athletes.
Since assuming power in March 2018, the Government has been promising an elusive “Nagaland Sports Policy” at regular interval. Time is opportune to implement the words into deeds as promised to guarantee better future and groom the sports persons of the state.