Recipients of KVSA 75th anniversary meritorious awards during KVSA 75th anniversary celebration in Kohima on January 11. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 11
The Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) today commemorated the 75th anniversary celebration of Kohima Village Sports Association (KVSA) at Kohima village ground, Ziekiezou.
The celebration was marked by honouring the pioneers of KVSA since its inception on 1944, gratitude citation, KVSA meritorious awards to sports achievers, KVSA posthumous award, KVSA recognition awards and 75th anniversary appreciation citation. An observer commented that “this is the best award ceremony in the field of games and sports so far in Nagaland as well as in the north east region.”
KYVO president Dzüvinguzo Mepfhüo delivered the presidential address while welcome address was delivered by Ketounei Kire, convenor organizing committee. Traditional blessing was pronounced by Head GB Medo Keretsü. Kohima Village council chairman also shared greetings. Mengu Suokhrie, LC Sekhose, Keneisenuo Soukhrie, Veriezhünuo Solo, Khriekethozo Sekhose and Dziesekhrienuo Keretsü performed at the celebration.
The KVYO stated that Kohima village had times in the past when bitterness and negative rivalry existed which hampered the growth of understanding and friendship among them. “However even then, respective khel elders strongly felt the need for all khels to transcend and overcome these barriers of hatred and enmity and develop a sense of oneness and live together in mutual harmony and friendship,” it stated. This inner longing of all khels was translated into a concrete reality in a meeting in 1944 giving birth to the idea of a friendly wrestling meet.
“As according to our customary and traditional practice, the moment two individuals meet in a wrestling bout, a new friendship is established henceforth,” it stated.
The year 1944, saw all Kohima village youth preparing themselves for the proposed wrestling tournament which unfortunately could not take place owing to the onset of the 2nd World War. Thet year the foundation of the Kohima village annual sports meet was laid, which evolved into Kohima Village Sports Association.
The following year, the wrestling meet was held at Thevokemouzie of Lhisemia khel with the invocation of blessing offered by Head G.B Lt. Zeyunyii Yhome. Owing to this sports meet a spirit of respect, oneness and mutual harmony has been cultivated.
