Indeed a delight for soccer fans to be able to witness back to back football tourney in the ‘Copa America Centenario’ and the ‘Euro Cup’.The euphoria and fervor triggered in fans with the onset of the Copa America Centenario contest has but intensified, with the Euro Cup closing in for a podium finish. Still for those fans asserting a rightful position for their dream teams, having made exits in the group stages, may hope for redemption at ‘Rio Olympics’. Brazil, for that matter, would be the choicest destination for any sports enthusiasts to pursue their idols/teams, as they compete for greater glory in the biggest sports extravaganza.
Seldom do residents of a country congregate for a cause, as is willfully done in support of a team or an athlete representing the country at a world stage. The significance of representation cannot be gauged in terms of importance, irrespective of the level or stage, but one can imagine the joy and pressure of competing at the world stage on the country’s behest. Incidentally, only few field incorporates people from all walks of life, religion, sex, creed or flair as is accommodated in the field of sports. It is one field wherein people do not judge the other for want of stature, education, appearance or background. However, when it comes to accolades in the field of sports, needless to mention other areas, Manipur, Mizoram and Assam are few of the states from the North-East we keep hearing of.
One Mary Kom and the state of Manipur was elevated to a world stage. Unfortunately she missed out an Olympic berth this time around. Still, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that the initiative of Indian Olympic Association to the International Boxing Association for a wildcard entry materializes. Whatever be the response, an Olympic bronze medal and five world boxing championship titles to her name speaks for itself. Even Tripura, for that matter, has come of age making a cut for ‘Rio 2016’ in 22 year old gymnast’s Dipakarmakar; that too in a sport which has yet to reinforce a respectable place in the country. The qualification is in itself a feat worthy of praise and she has our best wishes.
The question is, how are we any different from our sister states that we still fail to solidify representation, even at the national level? With an Olympic mark as early as in 1948, Dr Talimeren Ao -captain of the first national football team, just where have we lost track? Our failure to capitalize on the initial gain is definitely a big loss, not irreparable though. Tribal as we are, tribal instincts are inherent and rest assured we can excel in the field of shooting and archery. Besides, wrestling is a forte for our Angami brothers. Just why is glory bound by firm handshakes of Naga ministers at Kohima public ground? With all due respect, Chekrovolu Swuro- the ace Naga archer, with her credentials could consider investing in sports/archery academy. It would be prudent to pass on her talent filled tips to our many able and raring youth, devoid of a mentor. We Nagas are certainly not short of talent, what we lack is genuine involvement of our government and talk about individual athlete; we may just be a little shy of commitment, doggedness and self-confidence!!!..
Being an ardent follower of sports, it’s appalling to see the pace with which the envisioned stadium at Residency colony, Dimapur, is shaping up. Just why can’t it graduate beyond the model of a boulder a day? It’s actually discouraging privy of the fact that the arena is producing more of drivers sans sporting talent. So porous and unattended it is that the arena, in its existing form has become a safe haven for many wrongdoings. This just depicts the status games and sports have in our society at the moment. Games once hosted responsibly and with immense pride by khels, students unions, district sports associations’ etc.has faded with time. So has the culture of inter-village, range and district level competitions. Same applies to school and college sports meet, which has become more of a routine nature. I feel it’s high time the spirit of games and sports is revived and potential picks encouraged and supported to pursue the same full time. It is also time for our sports ministry to initiate proactive steps to provide our youth the representation required, because without necessary platform talent alone may not thrive. We aren’t aspiring or looking at results in a jiffy but spadework for times to come and it is certainly achievable if our sports ministry feels responsible in giving Nagaland an identity in the field of sports.
Vincent Patton, Srinagar, J&K
