Moa Jamir
As autumn arrives, the local dailies and various other platforms become flooded with sporting events, ranging from state-level to high-school competitions. Sportsmanship, discipline, comraderies, professionalism, team works etc are generously underscored during such events.
The rhetoric of encouragement extends beyond go far, urging the participating athletes excel not only on the local stage but also on the national and international levels. Those at helms of affairs often promises moon, but it just gathers dust, mirroring the neglected state of most playing fields where athletes compete.
Accordingly, promotion of sports in Nagaland Government is a classic case of the the familiar refrain is "all talk, no action." A glaring example is Nagaland's 'Nagaland Sports Policy 2006,' a document purportedly designed to foster a comprehensive and integrated approach to sports development. Incidentally, this policy remained invisible in the public domain, until the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) took office in March 2018, touting promotion of sports as one of its significant objectives. The then PDA’s Common Minimum Programme even pledged to enact a sports policy "within 100 days in power" and establish a Sports University. Yet, one term has passed, and a new one has begun, with both promises still unfulfilled.
In the past, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has criticised the "ad-hoc promotion of sports and culture in the state," but ground realities persist unchanged. The net result is Nagaland's dismal record in the national sporting arena, not to mention its absence from the international stage.
Consider the State's performance at the National Games, often referred to as India's domestic Olympics. Nagaland made its debut in the 33rd National Games in Guwahati in February 2007, securing an impressive 11 medals, including one gold. However, this performance declined significantly in subsequent years. In the 34th edition in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Nagaland only managed to win three bronze medals. Subsequently, Nagaland failed to secure any medals in the 2015 and 2022 editions of the national event.
The 2023 edition in Goa seemed poised for a similar outcome, were it not for the inclusion of Pencak Silat, a full-body martial art making its debut this year. Nagaland has managed to secure three medals in this discipline, including one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
Furthermore, participation rates reveal another aspect of the state's sporting challenges. Out of the 43 sports disciplines in Goa, Nagaland managed to qualify for only seven, including archery, boxing, sepak takraw, taekwondo, wrestling, Pencak Silat, and yachting. The State's 55-member contingent pales in comparison to neighbouring states like Manipur, which sent 385 players to compete in 27 games, and Assam, with reportedly 350 participants.
It's essential to note that as per the qualification criteria for Goa games, for both individual and team events, only seven teams or individuals from the National Championship held the previous year are eligible to participate in the National Games, with the eighth entry reserved for the host state. This illustrates the state's struggle to qualify in most categories.
While the ‘face-saver’ in Pencak Silat is commendable, it does not overshadow the fact that the promotion of sports in the state remains a mere platitude. The absence of a clear sports policy and adequate sports infrastructure accessible to the general public highlights the continued ad hoc nature of sports promotion in Nagaland.
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