WASA 50th anniversary makes colourful start

Sechü Zubza | January 10 : A weeklong 50th year anniversary of Western Angami Sports Association (WASA) got underway here this morning at WAPO Ground under the theme “Enhance your vision from the past” with Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie as the chief host.
Speaking on the occasion, Peseyie asserted that sports is fast gaining popularity and its standard steadily improving. “Thus, man must aim at his physical, spiritual and intellectual development in a harmonious way.”
The Speaker said that it is an established fact that knowledge make a child intellectually sound and moral commands pervade in him the spiritual values. But bodily and mental soundness can be attained through games and sports.
He also asserted that games and sports also help develop the spirit and joy of friendship and fair dealing with fellow beings. It inculcates in a person the spirit of sportsmanship, punctuality, regularity, team spirit, leadership and obedience to rules. It also teaches the joy of tolerance, spirit of fairness and the significance of discipline in a man’s life.
“A good sportsman is as such regarded as the fine specimen of mankind,” Peseyie said and at the same time hopeful that the 50th Year Anniversary meet will provide ample opportunity to the sports men and women of WASA to demonstrative their talents.
“In the context of present day disruptive society, games and sports can play a very enlightening role in forging harmony and sense of fellow feeling among mankind,” he said adding games and sports know no geographical or political boundary, harmonies development of human faculties being its primary slogans.
He also advised the sportsmen and women that although winning is important, one has to remember that there has to be a winner and loser. While rejoicing with the winners and congratulating them, he said, we should equally applause the efforts of the other participants as well.
“Facing lose in sports competition should not bring about a feeling of anguish or depress. Rather it would bring out a stronger determination to do better next time. What is more important is that whether we win or lose, we should always remain a sporting spirit,” the Speaker advocated.
Complementing WASA for attaining 50 glorious year since its establishment in 1961, the Speaker asserted that the association has contributed greatly in the field of games and sports and hope that they will spread out its activities in manifold to serve the growing needs of the youth in the village with a view to create golden opportunity in future.
He was also happy with the tireless efforts on the part of the organizers of WASA to arrange the 50th year anniversary in a benefiting manner.
Earlier, Peseyie unfurled the WASA flag and later released a souvenir to mark the 50 year long journey of WASA in the field of games and sports.
Western Angami Public Organization (WAPO) president Vikehielie Khawakhrie said that it is through games and sports the young boys and girls comes together and called upon the people to enjoy the sports event.
Khawakhrie also encouraged the sportspersons to exhibit their best talents and put their best effort to bring laurel not only to the Angamis but to the Nagas as a whole.
Delivering welcome address, WASA president Dovo Chase challenged the sportspersons to maintain sporting spirit and exhibit their talents to the delight of spectators throughout five day long meet.
The inaugural function was chaired by organizing committee convenor L. Kenneth Punyü while lighting of the tournament torch was done by WASA advisor Satuo Sechü. A drill display from Jotsoma Village Sports Association, theme song from Nise Meruno and anniversary mascot’s march were added attraction of the inaugural function.
The athletics event commenced after WASA games & sports secretary Vitsalhou Kesiezie administering oath to the participating teams.
Day two programme (January 12) will witness the presence of Wokha Deputy Commissioner Rovilato Mor as the host of honour.
The tournament will go on till January 15 with MLA Er. Vikho-o Yhoshü, advisor, information technology & communication as the chief guest.