Kohima, August 15 (DIPR): The first T.Ao State Sports Awards were given out today, the 15th August 2012 at Raj Bhavan by the Governor, Nikhil Kumar. Olympian archer Chekrovolu Swuro, Er. Lanu Toy and Greenwood School, Kuda village, Dimapur became the first sportsperson, sports administrator and institution respectively to be conferred the prestigious award. The T. Ao State Sports Awards, instituted after a review of the 2006 State Sports Policy with a view to recognise excellence in the arena of games and sports to at least five sportspersons in commemoration of the legendary Dr. T. Ao, the first Naga Olympian.
In his speech after the awards were presented, Nagaland Governor, Nikhil Kumar said that it was appropriate that on this important and auspicious occasion of Independence Day, the first T.Ao State Sports Awards is introduced. He recalled his days as a young school boy very keen on football and how he looked up to the famed Mohan Bagan Athletic Club, particularly after the 1948 London Olympics, when the team, captained by late Dr. T.Ao, came and played in Patna. He said that the team had comprised of some of the finest footballers India had ever produced and for Dr. T. Ao to have captained the team is no mean achievement.
Applauding Chekrovolu Swuro, Nikhil Kumar termed it a ‘breakthrough’ for her to have become an Olympian, as young people and sportspersons would be inspired to do well like her. She lauded Chekrovolu for having won 88 medals so far at the national and international levels. Nikhil Kumar complimented Chekrovolu of the way she had conducted herself at London 2012 with dignity and grace.
He urged her to continue to hone her skills in the coming days. Congratulating Er. Lanu Toy, Nikhil Kumar said Toy has been instrumental in putting Nagaland in the sporting map. He sought the continued guidance of Toy in promoting sports activities in the state. The Governor requested the patronage of the Chief Minister in the sport of freestyle wrestling. Nikhil Kumar noted that Naga wrestlers are very strong and sinewy and he expressed confidence that with the right patronage, Nagas can do very well in freestyle wrestling, if not in the Greco Roman style of wrestling.
The Governor lauded Greenwood School, Kuda village, Dimapur for being a pioneer in providing sporting facilities to students. Lauding its Director, Asa Khate, who received the award the Governor, hoped that the school would continue to inculcate the spirit of competition and healthy rivalry amongst the students.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that the T.Ao State Sports Awards is being given out at the Raj Bhavan to motivate and encourage the youth and sportspersons to strive with determination in their respective fields. He said that apart from this prestigious award, other awards would continue to be given out by the department. Remembering T.Ao, Rio lamented that due recognition was not given to him. As sports awards could not be given posthumously, the state government decided to institute this award in honour of late T.Ao, Rio said.
Lauding Chekrovolu Swuro, Rio encouraged her not to be disappointed with the results at the London 2012 Olympics as in sports, winning and losing are all part of the game. He expressed his happiness and pride at the tremendous feat she had achieved and urged her to continue to do better. Rio thanked Er. Lanu Toy for his contributions to the sports fraternity. He said that it was in December 2004 that Nagaland got affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association, after which the state was able to participate in national games. The Chief Minister also lauded Asa Khate, through whose initiatives, young students have been groomed to excel in sports, especially tennis, where Nagaland sportspersons are competing at various national and international levels.
Other highlights of the programme included a rendition of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ by Zowe Madrigal and a duet from ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ by Nise Meruno and Asin Shürhozelie. The names of the individuals conferred the Governor’s Excellence Award 2012 in the field of Art, Music and Literature were also announced at the programme.
These include Vilalhou Noudi in the field of Art (Painting), Seyie Putsüre in the field of Art (Interior Designing), Atsu Sekhose in the field of Art (Fashion Designing), Ngapjao Konyak in the field of Music (Folk Singing/Composing) and Renthungo Murryu in the field of Music.
President, Nagaland Athletics Association and General Secretary of Nagaland Olympic Association Abu Metha conducted the conferment of awards during the programme. The Awards Ceremony was followed by the ‘At Home’ at the Banquet Hall hosted by Governor Nikhil Kumar and his wife.
