Nagaland Officials with MB Athletics Club at Kolkata during the interaction held on November 10. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, November 10 (MExN): As part of the yearlong celebration in honour of legendary footballer, Dr.T Ao, the captain of Indian Football Team to London Olympics Games in 1948. A team of officials from the departments of Youth Resources & Sports, Information & Public Relations & Nagaland Football Association visited the Mohan Bagan Athletics Club on November 10.
Interacting with the officials from Nagaland, the media officer of Mohan Bagan Club, Imran Khan said that the club is honoured and delighted to remember and emulate a legendary footballer like Dr. T Ao who hailed from far flung area of the country. Under whose leadership and contributions, the club has won not only various tournaments but also gained fame and recognition across the country, he said.
Stressing on the importance of linkage, he strongly urged the people of north eastern states to develop a sense of cohesion and connectivity with the mainland India in order to develop oneness and live in as "unity in diversity". As of now, "the link between the north eastern states and the other states of the country is missing" when it comes to oneness, he stated.
He said “education and sports” are the two most important factors to build connectivity, understanding and unity amongst the people of different regions. Therefore, he encouraged and asked them to visit places and interact with fellow friends outside the state in order to get acclaimatized with the people of other states. For which, he suggested them to make a joint venture with the club and organise exchange programmes at the state or club level.
He also mentioned about the proposal to naming one of their buildings in Dr. T Ao's name but further stated that the proposal needed further discussion.
They also visited RG KAR Medical College, Kolkata. Principal RG KAR Medical College, Professor Dr. S. Batabyal said that the college is very fortunate to have a legendary footballer from Mohan Bagan Club who captained Indian Football Team London Olympics Games, in 1948. At the same time, he expressed his happiness that the first physician in Nagaland happened to be a product of KAR Medical College. He asked his family members to pay a visit whenever they come to Kolkata. He further said that the College has started a football tournament every year in the name of Dr. T.Ao since last year.
The team was led by Additional Director, YRS, Rato Pusa.
On November 9, the team visited the Maharana Club and Cotton University, Guwahati on November 9.
According to DIPR report while interacting with them, the officials from Nagaland minutely apprised about the initiatives and programmes undertaken by the Government of Nagaland so far, stating that the government has declared the year 2018 as the yearlong celebration of Dr T Ao. At the same time, they also invited them to be a part of the culmination programme which is slated to be held at Kohima on January 28, 2019.
President, Maharana Athletics Club, Rana Pratap Bordoloi said it was under the leadership of Dr. T. Ao, the club gained popularity in terms of fame and recognition all over India.
Vice Chancellor, Cotton University, Professor, BC Goswami interacting with the officials from Nagaland praised the legendary footballer for his immense contributions and leadership provided not only to the University but also the country at large. He further said that the only thing we have to emphasize more is on 'imparting extensive training and providing infrastructure'.
He mentioned about the planning to build a new indoor stadium which he said would be the state of the art. He said that the new stadium will be named as Dr. T. Ao Indoor stadium for which he urged the Government of Nagaland to come forward and consider their proposal on sharing basis.
The team was led by Addl. Director, YRS, Rato Pusa. He was accompanied by Assistant Director, YRS, Jakedovo Chase, APRO, IPR, Nongozo Rikha, Video journalist, Bendangsunep Jamir, Former International footballer & holder of 'B' license, Roko Angami, Junior State Coach, Ruopfu Meyase and Head, Youth Development, Football Club Aizawl & the only 'A' license holder from Nagaland, William Koso.
