Er. Zale Neikha with others during kick off of football event for 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympics Games 2022 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on August 17. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 17
Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports, Advisor Er Zale Neikha today kicked off the football event for 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympics Games 2022 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
In the inaugural match, Dimapur beat Wokha by 6-1. Peren overpowered Zunheboto by 4-0 in the second match. In the third match, Shamator defeated Mon 3-2. Kohima defeated Tuensang 7-0 in the last match of the day.
‘Games and sports symbolises the unity of athletes’
Gracing the inaugural proramme, Nagaland’s youth resources & sports advisor Er. Zale Neikha said that games and sports symbolises the unity of athletes coming from each and every corner of the state to showcase their love for sports for the beauty of the game they play.
He said the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to build a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sports, practice without discrimination of any kind through Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
He said around 4000 athletes will be participating from all the 16 districts and will compete in 11 disciplines of sports during the main event of NOPG 2022 from August 22.
It will surrounds Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Shooting and Wushu.
He said that football being the main attraction of the people which is being played in all districts and villages, it is with no doubt that the football discipline is growing far beyond one’s imagination and expectations.
Lamenting that Naga sportsperson lacks sportsmanship, he said “we the Nagas, we carry a mindset, where if a sportsperson excels in one sport discipline, he/she boasts himself/herself as being one of the best and none can compete with him/her and remain in his/her comfort zone and losses the mentality to practice and improve further”.
This thinking creates a downfall and starts to blame another for his/her own defeat and we never progress or rather we stop progressing which keeps us behind from other states, he said.
In this, he encouraged the sportspersons saying “if you secure champion in any discipline at village or area levels, one should practice harder for district level, then for state level, and to the national and Inter-National level.”
He went on to cite that legendary player Dr. T Ao gave his all, playing with his bare-foot with no major support from the government but through his wit, guts, determination and love for the game he lived for and has also excelled in his career not just in sports but even in his studies by achieving his prestigious title of doctorate.
He also said that their participation is a victory for the state it will boost their confidence and morality upon themselves that they are amongst the best to be able to participate in the Olympics.
Earlier, Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) secretary general Abu Metha unfurled the NOA flag while welcome address was delivered by Nagaland Football Association (NFA) president K. Neibou Sekhose. The programme was chaired by Colo Mero, convenor organizing committee (Football event) and vice president NFA.
Meanwhile, the first match on August 18 will start from 9:00 am onwards.
FIXTURE FOR AUGUST 18
1st Match:
Tseminyu Vs Kiphire
2nd Match:
Noklak Vs Mokokchung
3nd Match:
Phek Vs Chümoukedima
4rd Match:
Longleng Vs Niuland
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