Time for concrete actions 

For a state whose populace follow sports diligently and a government, which never misses an opportunity to highlight any achievement on the ‘field,’ Nagaland’s concrete actions on sports and related activities are grossly incommensurate with the lofty promises and potentials.

 
True, many activities were executed during the past one year under the ‘development of sports and youth activities for excellence.’  However, we digress and nitpick.


Three instances are cited here. First is the ongoing Diamond Jubilee edition of the ongoing Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, billed as the biggest youth tournament in Asia.  The inter-school football tournament in India in recent years is conducted in three categories – Under -14 Boys, and Under -17 for both Boys and Girls. Nagaland is represented only in 1, the U-14 Boys, the category in which state had performed exceptionally before:- champions – 2008, 2012, and 2014, and runner-up - 2007, 2009 and 2011.

     
According to the organiser, for participation, preliminary inter-school tournaments are held in every state of India starting from Sub-division, district and division level culminating in the inter-school finals at the national level.  It is astounding and regrettable that the state which managed to send a U-15 girls football team to play an international tournament in July, could provide one for a national event. The U-15 team trip to ‘Gothai Cup’ at Gothenburg, Sweden is often underscored as a shining achievement of the present government, thereafter, at regular interval.  


Exposure in both national and international arena is vital for any sportsperson.  Ergo, another illustration of gross underrepresentation was the Khelo India Youth Games (KYIG) in January. The revamped edition of Khelo India School Games, started in 2018, saw over 9000 athletes in 2019 and was touted as the biggest  “grassroot level hunt for sportspersons” in India.


The North East region, had ample representation with Manipur and Mizoram leading the pack with over 100 athletes. Nagaland was lowest among the 7 states, with mere 13 athletes: 5 Athletics, 4 Wrestling, 2 Boxing and 2 Archery. There were over 18 sporting events with Naga favourites like football, wrestling, badminton, volleyball and judo. However, the state had zero representation in these categories. 


The other case in point is the 1st Nagaland Olympics, which was conducted with much fanfare in December 2017 under the aegis of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA). The present Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, was then helming NOA, and is still its president. According to media reports, the organising committee convenor then noted that while it is compulsory under the Olympics charter to “have this event at least every two years" the state’s objective was to “organise the sports every year instead for the benefit of the sports fraternity.”


Both the president and convenor are at the helms of affairs now, but strangely it was given a complete miss last year. The first North East Olympic Games in Imphal in October 2018 can be given as an excuse for last year; but none of the stakeholders have uttered anything about it so far.  


This lack of actions has been roundly chided by objective observers. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in a report had observed “ad-hoc promotion of sports and culture in the state.” Policy-wise, ‘Nagaland Sports Policy’ designed primarily to facilitate the multi-dimensional and integrated approach to accelerate sports was framed as early as 2006, though not available in the public domain. 


Diminishing returns in terms of medals and honours in various national events are the outcome of such adhoc promotion. The Chief Minister seems to be aware of such maladies, lamenting on one occasion that after winning “11 medals including 1 gold” in its debut 33rd National Games held in February 2007, in Guwahati, the state’s performances have declined in subsequent years. 


As a remedy, the present People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) promised a new sports policy “with 100 days in power.” A  Sports University was also pledged in its Common Minimum Programme (CMP) released in May, 2018. 


The intent is lofty and clear, but actions are lacking, despite the “new policy soon” refrain being bugled on every given opportunity.   


Last heard in July, the Government of Nagaland in collaboration with the NOA is ushering the new ‘State Sports Policy’ which is now in the final stage of finalisation and 30 days were given to all NOA’s affiliated associations to submit their feedback.


 One hopes this will be the last such consultation before the draft is available in the public domain and some concrete actions are executed on the ground. It is not only a policy imperative but a social and economic necessity