Kekhriesilie Rio with YRS Advisor Er Zale Neikha and others during the felicitation programme on February 23. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, February 23 (MExN): Kekhriesilie Rio, winner of the World Jumping Championship 2020 (South Zone) in Category A, was felicitated by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) Nagaland at the YRS directorate on February 23.
YRS Commissioner and Secretary Alun Hansing highlighting the achievements of Kekhriesilie Rio and said that he has been ranked No 2 by the International Equestrian Federation and is the first Indian to achieve the highest rank till date.
While congratulating Kekhriesilie, Advisor, YRS, Er Zale Neikha also encouraged him to work harder and to bring more laurels to the State and nation.
Advisor, Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio who is also the President of the Equestrian Association Nagaland and father of Kekhriesilie Rio, hoped that the achievement of Kekhriesilie Rio will help in promotion of Equestrian activities in the State.
He acknowledged that Nagas have potential in the field of sports but do not get the right platform and appreciation. Even at the national level, young Naga athletes and sportspersons are not getting much support; he said and hoped that there would be more sponsors for promotion in the future.
Kekhriesilie Rio stated that being the lone Equestrian in the State motivates him to strive to work harder. He shared his wish to motivate more youth in the discipline, and to bring more laurels to the State and nation.
He attributed his success to God, his family, Equestrian Society Nagaland, the State Government and the Department of YRS.
Mentioning that he will be participating in the Asian Games 2022 trial, which will be held in Germany, Kekhriesilie shared that he is looking forward to make a mark in the future as well.
According to a DIPR report, Kekhrisilie Rio participated in the Junior National Equestrian Championship (Endurance) (40-45 Km) 2014-15, Dibrugarh and secured the third position in the Individual Category; Junior National Equestrian Championship (Show Jumping) 2018, Kolkata and secured the first place (National Champion - Individual); FEI World Show Jumping Challenge (Category A) 2020, Bengaluru, and with this feat, he was ranked No. 2 in the world and No. 1 in Asia and India; National Equestrian Championship (Senior), Delhi 2021 and won in Pussiance Jumping; and Asian Equestrian Federation Junior/Young Jumping Challenge 2019 and secured second in the Individual Category.
