32nd Nagaland Police sports meet

Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Lalthara taking a salute during the opening ceremony of  The XXXII Nagaland Police-Duty-cum-Sports & Athletic Meet today. (right) Athletics taking part at a rally race. (Sorei Mahong/Morung Photos)
 
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 14 (MExN): The XXXII Nagaland Police-Duty-cum-Sports & Athletic Meet kicked off with much fanfare at the NAPTC Stadium, Chumukedima Monday, November 14. Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Lalthara graced the customary opening ceremony as the chief guest.
Riding on an overwhelming response from all the state police units, this year, a contingent of 29 teams from all the 15 armed battalions and the DEFs, as well as the NAPTC, IGP (Int), Kohima and NPTS are partaking in the event.
The enthusiasm clearly evident among the participants, the chief guest, in his speech, without underplaying the success of the previous editions; remarked that compared to other years, the 32nd edition has received more than the anticipated interest from the respective units. Further “Hope to see some records are also broken this year,” he added. “Let us remember that participation itself is a reward”, he further said, while adding that some of the participating teams maybe under-strength, but which should not be taken as a ground for losing enthusiasm.  Athletics marked the inaugural of the sports conclave, which will be held over six days and conclude on November 19. To refresh memories, a more than forty year-old record ( in 100 metre heat), is yet to be broken, which was set way back in 1970. That record, at just 11.01 seconds (and just over a second above the world record) was set by Zukhevi Sema for the NAPTC. There are many other unbroken records which were set mostly in the eighties and the seventies. In 200 metre dash, a twenty-six year old record still stands. Marked at 22.08 seconds, it is credited to Basna Singh of the 4th NAP. The latest entered in the records register was in 2010 in shot-put. That record is held by Ladu Chang of the 6th NAP at 11.83 metres. In high-jump, Purna Konyak of the 11th NAP (IR) holds the record at 1.80 metres. It was set in 2006.
Coming to the Chief Secretary’s speech, he expressed his contentment that Nagaland Police, as a whole, is expanding in terms of strength and capability. In this regard, he made special mention of the 9th NAP (IR) and the 15th Mahila NAP (IR) battalions, who has served outside of the state with great competence and sacrifice. He was also quick to remark that it does mean the other units are not upto the mark. They will be efficient just the same when given a task, he added.
Rotating the 15 armed battalions for service outside Nagaland is important as it will act as an exposure and of great experience to the personnel. Such call for duty should be taken without a complaining mind, he said. “When your turn comes take it positively… if you go outside with a complaining mind, you’ll not be able to achieve anything… (a positive) attitude is very important.”
The disciplines up for competition are athletics, team events like football, volleyball and basketball; shooting, badminton (for Dy.SP and above), lawn tennis, tug-of-war, etc. Ever a crowd puller during the annual NP sports meet, competitive events for boxing has already been conducted.
Further, a trade fair in aid of state police units ‘family welfare’ fund will be held simultaneously with the sports events. Open to the public, it was inaugurated by Neithou Kire, wife of the Director General of Police, K. Kire. The venue for the exhibition is at the NAPTC hockey field.