(L-R) Retired Indian football star, Bhaichung Bhutia; Nagaland’s Olympian Chekrovolü Swuro; and Indian motorsport champion, Gaurav Gill during the opening of the Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence in Sovima on January 27. (Morung Photos)
Motivation and passion just as important as having sports infra: Bhutia
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 27
Nagaland has a history of making grand openings only to lose steam, not long after. The result has often been that completed projects do not find the intended use, or worse, meeting premature deaths.
Another brand new initiative was opened in Dimapur, on January 27, in the form of a Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence (RCSE) established adjacent to the Nagaland Cricket Stadium at Sovima.
The Centre, comprising of 4 separate components spread over 21.3 acres of land, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in the presence of 3 Arjuna awardees— retired Indian football star, Bhaichung Bhutia; Indian motorsport champion and also a FIA Asia Pacific Rally champion, Gaurav Gill and Nagaland’s very own Olympian Chekrovolü Swuro.
The RCSE boasts of a Futsal Complex, a Regional Shooting Centre, a Regional Archery Academy and a Regional Motor Sport Centre.
Now that the infrastructure has been developed, Arjuna Awardee and former Indian football captain, Bhaichung Bhutia was asked to comment on the things required to supplement and sustain the assets, while ensuring that it serve its intended purpose. Bhutia responded that support systems are required, including the support of parents. However, he added that motivation and passion are just as important, otherwise, “it will be very difficult for you to succeed despite whatever facilities you get.”
He cited the example of South America, which has produced many of the world’s top footballers. “They come from very difficult circumstances with no facilities and if you read their autobiographies, we learn that they all struggled.”
Earlier, speaking at the inauguration, he noted the entire country recognizing the NE as a sporting region. Nevertheless, he said that the “mentality” here has to change. Besides, he said that sports is not only about earning money and living big but also about living healthy.
FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion, Gaurav Gill noted that Nagaland has a motorsport history and has also produced champions. He informed that plans are already underway for a motorsport academy in collaboration with JK Tyres. The opening of the motorsport centre, he said, has opened an avenue for promoting talents in the state.
Nagas lack ‘passion to persevere’
Olympic archer, Chekrovolü Swuro was asked by The Morung Express as to why Nagaland has not produced another archer like her. She attributed it to “mental weakness” or the passion to persevere despite the odds.
Nevertheless, she expressed confidence things would turn for the better with the opening of the RCSE. She added that Nagaland would not be able to groom talents to make it to the 2024 Olympics but there would be certainly be some to make it to the 2028 or 2032 Olympics.
As for the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, he said that the State would want to host the National Games or the NE Games.
While saying that, he also asked whether the state and the youths have the potential to win medals as a host state.
According to him, the Naga political issue and divisions within have been the major obstacles and reasons for not being able to focus on the youths. He said, “When you don’t get opportunity in the right platform, you cannot excel.”
He wished that the youths would take advantage of the sports centres inaugurated today.
