Staff Reporter
A Regional Centre for Sports Excellence (RCSE) having a campus area of 21.3 acre at Sovima was formally inaugurated by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday. The RCSE somewhat like a games village includes the Regional Motor Sports Centre (RMSC), Regional Archery Academy (RAA), Regional Shooting Centre (RSC) and Futsal Complex (FC) and also the Nagaland Cricket Stadium.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister spoke about the negative impact of prolonged period of insurgency and divisions within society which had acted as hurdles against potential of the youth in various fields.
Alluding to the objective of the multi-sports disciplinary centre-RCSE, the chief minister hoped it would serve as the right platform for excelling in various fields.
He also recalled that after taking over as chief minister in 2003, his government declared ‘The Year of The Youth’ in 2003-04 with the objective of promoting sports, music and arts.
While saying that it has taken decades before RCSE to come up, Rio urged the youth not to take sports merely as a hobby but to embrace it with a passion as a professional career.
Rio reminded that anyone desiring to excel in games and sports needs to remain healthy, be physically fit and emotionally sound. He also pointed out the professionalism demanded discipline, commitment and determination.
He said though Nagaland became a state in 1963, the Nagaland Olympic Association was able to get affiliated to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) only 41 years later (2004).
He encouraged sportspersons to train hard to win medals in view of the state wanting to host regional and national events. Rio said if the host State failed to win medals, it would be a matter of huge shame.
Padma Shree, Arjuna Awardee and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who was guest of honour, emphasised that the government has to invest on youths and added that such a multi-sports campus was indeed the best investment.
He said Nagaland has a rich legacy in sports, especially in football by citing the example of Dr T Ao, the first captain of independent India’s first football team.
Bhutia also said as the entire country recognised the North-east region as a sporting hub, the youth needed to change their attitude towards sports. He said it was not only about earning money and living big, but also about living healthy.
Taking the examples of football legends like Messi, Pele, Ronaldo, etc, Bhutia pointed out that all of them emerged from South America where sport infrastructure was very poor.
He said these legends were able to rise because there was a culture and environment for sports in their native land and therefore, called for changing the mindset on sports.
Delivering a short speech, director general of police and Nagaland Shooting Sports Association president TJ Longkumer said the Nagaland Police was happy to be a partner in the development of youth through sports.
He informed the gathering that the chief minister had approved establishment of a police station at Sovima village, adding details were being worked out.
Short speeches were delivered by Arjuna Award winner and FIA Asia Pacific Rally champion Gaurav Gill (among the guests of honour) Sovima Village Council chairman Sebastian Zumvü and Nagaland Olympic Association general secretary and Federation of Adventure & Motor Sports Association of North East India president Abu Metha.
The guests of honour also included Olympian and Arjuna Award winner Chekrovolü Swuro. Former Indian football captain Renedy Singh also attended the programme.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Neingulie Nakhro, and invocation and dedicatory prayer offered by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier (convener Forum for Naga Reconciliation).
The chief minister was accompanied by ministers Metsubo Jamir and Neiba Kronu, advisers Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, Zhaleo Rio, R Khing and Medo Yhokha and a host of officials.
After the inaugural programme, an exhibition futsal match was played between a team led by Bhaichung Bhutia against a Gaurav Gill-led team.