General Lakhera Inspector General Assam Rifle (North) during the opening day of the Patkai Christian College annual sports meet on November 6.
Says accepting, overcoming failure biggest lesson of sports
Morung Express New
Patkai | November 7
The biggest lesson playing sports teaches us is to accept a failure - to work on and overcome it, stated Major General Lakhera Inspector General Assam Rifle (North) Kohima, Nagaland on November 7.
It is only when we taste failure, we know what victory is, he added, gracing the 47th Sports Meet inaugural function of Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) being held at the College’s playground under the theme, ‘Onward to New Beginnings.’
Major Gen Lakhera further noted that emerging victorious is a crucial part of sports, so is the process. It is the process of competing - testing and honing your skills, which are more enjoyable, he maintained.
The IGAR (N) further stated that today sports in India is a billion-dollar industry that employs thousands of people within and outside the sports field. For every Sportsman there is a team of specialists providing support such as psychologist, physiotherapist, dietician etc. The list is endless, he noted. Sports culture and landscape in India have undergone a major change over the last decade, he added.
Major Gen Lakhera also informed that he has travelled all across Nagaland multiple times over the last three decades and seen amazing children who are skilled in sports.
“In my opinion if you consider the per capita talent of youth of Nagaland, you will be far ahead of others in our country. You are naturally gifted. It is just a matter of honing skills through hard work and sacrifice,” he highlighted. The question is how do we translate talent to success, he said.
To this end, he said though lack of sports infrastructure has resulted in restricting its growth. He however observed that there is a glimmer of hope as observed over the past few years. The desire of the youth to be part of the growth and development as well as peace and prosperity will change the sporting landscape in Nagaland, he added.
“Change is the only constant and change for better will happen,” he added. “Remember success is a very stubborn thing. It will only relent. If you push boundaries and give your best and never give up. Your competition is always with yourself and not with others,” he said.
Meanwhile, Major Gen Lakhera also stated that since 1974, Patkai College has come a long way under the motto, ‘Light and Truth’ and today it stands tall in the field of imparting quality education and personality development of its students.
Earlier, in his welcome address, PCC Principal Dr Thepfüvilie Pierü stated that the sports week is organised annually keeping in mind the importance of games and sports in the life of students.
The college will always encourage the students to actively participate in games and sports of their choice, he said, adding that not only in academic achievements, PCC has been making its mark in games & sports, social, cultural and literary activities, films and music.
Likewise, Games & Sports Secretary, PGSWC Rhonathung E Ovung noted that the sports week is an important event in the academic calendar of PCC where students physically and mentally participate in various sports, exhibiting their talents, skills, athleticism, and their spirit of sportsmanship.
Students also learn a great deal from such outdoor activities, be it teamwork, discipline, focus, grit and determination, he added. The sports week also reflects the institution’s commitment for overall development of its students, he stated.
Meanwhile, during the sports week, students divided into 6 groups - Asgardians, Frost Giants, Dark Elves, Midgardians, Eternals and Valhalla will compete various games and sports.
It was informed that there will be competition in 25 games and sports events during the six-day sports week ending November 11.
