Our Correspondent Kohima | October 11 A three day long XXII Inter District & State Table Tennis Championship under the aegis of Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA) got underway here at the Indoor Table Tennis Stadium. Altogether, 84 players from Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung districts are taking part in the tournament. Gracing the inaugural function as the chief guest, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Secretary, Land Resources Department Nagaland, stressed on the need to develop indoor games in the state. Opining that Naga youth posses immense potential in indoor games, he urged the participants to maintain discipline and excel in the field. Extending solidarity towards promoting Table Tennis in the state, he announced that he would sponsor the prize money for the winners of this championship. He said so far Nagaland has produced only two Olympian- Dr. T. Ao (Football) and Chekrovolu Swuro (Archery) whereas the neighboring state Manipur sent six Olympian at the recently concluded Rio Olympic. In this, he stressed on the need to learn and seek helping hand from Manipur in the field of games and sports. He also expressed a wish that the state would invite Mary Kom to teach sportspersons here. He regretted that Nagas are lacking in acknowledging each other on good things happening around. The situation though has improved now and we are headed for a better future, he added. There should not be any division in sports, he said and stressed on the need to develop a positive approach through sports. Build peace, not pieces, build unity, not disunity, he said. He also challenged the youngsters to dream for a new Nagaland. NTTA president K. Tiayanger Tsiidir said that today sports is not only considered as entertainment or profession but many advanced countries have declared it as an industry. He called upon the players to give their best and achieve their desired goal. He also told the players not to be confined within the state but to have a broad vision and target national and international levels. Later, chief umpire Dr. Asalie Khezhie administered oath to the players. The XXII edition tournament being hosted by Kohima District Table Tennis Association, will conclude on October 13.
