Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Monday inaugurated the State’s first astro turf football ground and the 20th Inter District Football Championship at Indira Gandhi stadium here, coinciding with the 101st birth anniversary of legendary footballer Dr T Ao.
Speaking as special guest on the occasion, Rio said his government was working on a quality strategic sports infrastructure development plan for every district by engaging and partnering with proven sports consultants
To begin with, Rio said the state government is partnering with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools for a game development plan beginning with young footballers of Nagaland. He added that under-16 footballers from all over the State would get an opportunity to be part of the programme, which would also include exposure events and junior leagues.
While, congratulating YRS department for completing the project in record time and in an exemplary manner, Rio said the infrastructure would be a foundation for achieving excellence in the arena of sports and games at the national and global levels.
He said: “We should not expect our sportspersons to return with medals without providing them good infrastructure” and expressed his hope that, with the laying of astro turf, sports development in Nagaland would gather pace.
Rio pointed out that good infrastructure did not only mean physical infrastructure like playgrounds, stadiums and academies, but also included quality human resources in the form of good coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, etc. In this regard, he said sportspersons needed to be groomed from an early age, given exposure and constant competition, while training and camps would have to be driven by modern methods, besides giving rewards and recognitions to motivate.
While encouraging sportspersons, Rio reminded them that glory at the highest levels did not come by chance or luck. He appealed to all sportspersons of the State to rededicate towards reaching the highest standards of excellence.
Rio assured that his government would do everything possible to support and promote sports in the State, even as he appealed to the sports associations and federations to play a more proactive role so that they could collectively work as a team for the good of sportspersons. He claimed that his government had taken concrete steps to bring back sports development on track and highlighted measures undertaken like laying of foundation stone for Dr T Ao Regional Football Academy, restoration of T Ao State Sports award, restoration of Dr T Ao Football trophy and introduction of Dr T Ao Memorial Lecture, which would become an annual event.
Mentioning that January 28 was the 101st birth anniversary of one of the greatest sons of Nagaland, Dr Talimeren Ao, the first Olympian, India’s first football captain to Olympics and one of the legendary figures in Indian sports, Rio reminded everyone that Dr. T Ao was a towering figure who inspired a nation. He said several initiatives under his name and memory had been initiated not only to pay him respect and homage, but also to use his name and achievements to inspire the younger generation.
“We should all be proud of him and strive to emulate the standards set by him,” he added.
In his speech, Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) adviser, Er. Zale Neikha paid rich tributes to the legendary footballer, who, according to him, had made Nagas known to the outside world through sports. He said history had been created with the long-awaited and cherished dream of an astro turf at IG stadium becoming a reality.
Neikha lauded Rio for his visionary approach and the YRS department for working on a war-footing to install floodlights in the stadium and furnishing it with necessary facilities to make it suitable to host National Games in the near future.
Asserting that the PDA government was for “change”, he claimed that change was here today under the dynamic leadership of Rio. He claimed the PDA government intended to bring about all-round development in the State, while trying to uplift youths in the society.
The astro turf was one of the many achievements of the PDA government in its 11-month rule, he added.
Sharing his technical report, YRS executive engineer Er Nimo Kath said laying of the astro turf was a red letter day and coincided with the 20th Inter District Football Championship, 2019. He said the project was conceived in 2013-14 at an estimated cost of Rs 498 lakh, with an initial funding of Rs 100 lakh from SPA and another Rs 90 lakh in 2014-15. He added that the State government had to shell out Rs 55 lakh from the State Plan and Rs 40 lakh from Non-Plan from 2015-16 as funding from SPA was discontinued.
Though the project could not be completed within the stipulated time due to want of fund, the executive engineer said with receipt of the remaining Rs 213 lakh by the YRS department from the State government after Rio assumed office under Development Expenditure (Additional) in 2018, the work could finally be completed. He explained that the project was conceived with a view to provide a standard football field that could host national and International matches, besides nurturing and training youngsters.
Kath claimed that the astro turf had been laid by following the specifications and norms of FIFA, adding the size of the playground was 105 x 66 metres, the FIFA approved size. He added that, according to the company (Decor), it was the best stadium in the country.
The scope of work involved preparation of base course with drainage systems and laying of astro turf, including infilling with silica sand and rubber granules, where, except silica sand, all other components were imported from the United States of America.
He said the work was awarded to M/s Khedi Trade & Development Agency and that the work commenced in November 2014, adding that the scheduled time for its completion was 24 months.
Earlier, the programme started with invocation prayer by State chaplain Rev Kuzierang Thou and a special song by Ajeen Longchari Sucha (grand niece of Dr T Ao).
After the inaugural programme, Rio inaugurated and unveiled a monolith of astro turf football ground. The event was also attended by deputy chief minister Y Patton, host of ministers, advisers and legislators, besides YRS and other State government officials, hundreds of students and public.
An exhibition match was also played between Chief Minister XI and Chief Secretary XI.
CS’s XI defeated CM’s XI by 3-0. The match also witnessed former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who teamed up with CM’s XI in the second half.
It may be recalled that the foundation stone of IG stadium was laid by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on October 6, 1987 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on October 28, 2003.
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