Stronger Together: 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 culminates

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 27

A weeklong 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 culminated today under the aegis of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) with the theme ‘Stronger together.’

In a closing ceremony held at NBCC Convention Centre, various awards have been conferred to top teams and achievers.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also president of NOA handed over Team Champion trophy to Kohima district. Kohima district topped the medal tally with 29 Gold, 23 Silver and 18 Bronze.

Meren Paul, Senior Vice President, NOA handed over 1st Runner –up team championship trophy to Phek district. Phek district secured 22 Gold, 20 Silver and 17 Bronze.

Bhabajyoti Goswami, Secretary General, Assam Olympic Association handed over 2nd Runner –up team championship trophy to Dimapur district for securing 22 Gold, 17 Silver and 18 Bronze.

Kuber Bhandari, President, Sikkim Olympic Association handed over Outstanding Sportsman award to Zhokhoto Demo of Phek district for  winning 5 Gold medals in Archery.

He has qualified for the forthcoming National Games to be held in Gujarat.

Chekrovolu Swuro, Olympian & Arjuna Awardee handed over Outstanding Sportswoman award to Tsuchoi of Noklak district.

Tsuchoi won 5 Gold Medals- 3 Gold medals in Individual events-1500 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters. She also helped Noklak district to won 2 Gold Medals in the relay races.

She had also won a Bronze Medal at the 56th National Cross Country Championships as a member of the Nagaland Women's Team. She was a Gold medalist at the last North East Olympics in Manipur.

Abraham K Techi, Secretary General, North East Olympic Association handed over Olympic Fair Play Trophy to Mokokchung district

This Olympic Fairplay Trophy for the most Disciplined district is based on overall recommendations of all the Associations in which competitions were held.
 
Peren, Phek gets ‘Spirit of Olympics’ award
John F Kharshing, working president, Meghalaya State Olympic Association & treasurer North East Olympic Association, handed over “Spirit of Olympics” award to Peren and Phek district.

The Spirit of Olympics Award is given to a team or individual that sets a high standard of exemplary conduct in accordance with the Olympic Spirit of good humanitarian behaviour.

In view of their conduct and their exemplary behaviour, the Spirit of Olympic Award goes to Peren district for the exemplary gesture of their Athletic & Basketball Women’s teams.

Similarly, one district team stepped forward to set the right example. This morning the entire Phek district team assembled in Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima to clean the stadium and carried out a cleanliness drive.

Their exemplary initiative has won the hearts of entire Nagaland and they have set a positive example for all citizens of the state. For this gesture, the Phek district team is also conferred with the Spirit of Olympic Award.

‘Nagaland has tremendous potential in field of sports & games’
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief Minister Niephiu Rio today said that the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games is the beginning of a new journey for the state to write a new narrative for the future of Nagaland in sports.

“Nagaland has tremendous potential in the field of sports and games and we must make every possible effort to translate this potential into results,” he said.

In this, he said better infrastructure in tune with modern needs, quality human resources in game development, improvement in nutrition and diet, increased exposure and most importantly a scientific approach to sports is the need of the hour.

The Chief Minister asserted that the State government is directing its policies towards this direction.

Maintaining that the Nagaland Olympic Games act as a platform to showcase the hard work and efforts put in by athletes, as well as a talent hunt platform, he said that the champion athletes and best performing sportspersons will be undergo state level coaching camps for the forthcoming North East Olympics to be held in Meghalaya and the National Games in Gujarat.

The commendable performance of the new and interior districts is notable, he said, adding that this is a positive sign for the future and we are encouraged to work harder for the youth of the State in every part of Nagaland.

He said that Olympic Games have sent the right message of unity and oneness to every part of the state.

The theme of the Games – “Stronger Together” gives the clear message that Nagas must be one in order to rise and shine and excel, Rio said.

Meanwhile, Rio appreciated the Phek district team for taking up a cleanliness drive at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the main venue of the Nagaland Olympic Games this morning.

“Your thoughtful gesture will go a long way in setting a food example to our people,” he said. 
 
Athletes encouraged to strive to reach higher standard
NOA secretary general Abu Metha said that the 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 witnessed the participation of 16 districts, more than 2000 sportspersons and 347 medals.

“It was indeed the biggest celebration of sports, a celebration of the ability of the young people of Nagaland,” Metha said in his closing remarks.

He said that 2nd Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 exemplified the energy, the vibrancy and enthusiasm of the new generation of the Naga youth, most importantly it exemplifies the ambition of the young Naga people,” he said.

Metha said that the state government and NOA under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio believes in ambitions of the Naga youth and aspire to work for them so that their ambition of the youth is achieved.

He said that the power of sports, the platform of sports and games brought the entire Nagaland together under one banner and one event.

Today, he said, the call for unity has been made by the young people of Nagaland.

Sports unify this world, this planet more than any other factor, he maintained.

He also said that every sports person is an ambassador of unity.

Metha said that NOA felt proud that it managed to send a positive message that “Nagas will be stronger together.”

Further, he encouraged every athlete to strive to reach higher standard.