Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio being greeted on his arrival to Jindal Vijayanagar Airport on June 27.
VIJAYANAGAR), JUNE 27 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio arrived at the Jindal Vijayanagar Airport on Friday for a two-day official visit to Karnataka’s Vijayanagar, hosted by the JSW Group, to deepen strategic collaboration in sports development, industrial partnerships, and cultural initiatives.
Rio was received at the airport with a ceremonial welcome by the JSW team and leadership of the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), which is currently hosting a high-performance training programme for athletes from Nagaland, including the state’s Super League youth football team.
The Chief Minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials and sports administrators from Nagaland. The team includes Advisor to the Chief Minister Abu Metha, who also serves as Chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland and Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India; PRO to the CM Rusemtong Longkumer; Nagaland Cricket Association President Kechangulie Rio; NSL Chairman and MLA Benei M Lamthiu; AIFF Executive Member and Nagaland Football Association President Neibou Sekhose; Director of Youth Resources and Sports Kethosituo Sekhose; and Kuputo Shohe, Chairman of the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation and Joint Secretary of the Nagaland Olympic Association.
During the visit, the delegation will tour key facilities operated by the JSW Group, including the Vijayanagar Steel Plant and Kaladham, a cultural complex, in addition to witnessing the training of Naga athletes at IIS. The Chief Minister is also expected to meet Olympians and prominent athletes during his tour.
The engagement is aimed at forging long-term partnerships across sectors, with focused discussions on high-performance sports training, industrial investment, cultural exchange, and youth-centric development. A meeting between the state officials and JSW leadership has been scheduled to deliberate on potential collaborations ranging from infrastructure and mineral development to art residencies and sports excellence.
The visit also coincides with a scheduled friendly football match between the NSL youth team and Bengaluru FC on June 28. The fixture is seen as both a high-profile exposure opportunity for the young Naga players and a milestone in the growing sports partnership between Nagaland and JSW.
