The inauguration ceremony for the newly established cricket practice pitches in Kohima district was held on January 21 at Kohima Science College. The pitches will be officially opened at three locations: D. Khel Ground, T. M School Ground, and Kohima Science College Ground.
The event was graced by Principal of Kohima Science College Temjen Wapang, as the special guest. In his address, he highlighted the growing significance of cricket in Nagaland, stating that it is becoming a viable career option for many Nagas.
He emphasized that cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports in the region and expressed pride in the fact that the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) is affiliated with one of the largest and most resourceful cricket board, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He also noted that the future of cricket in Nagaland looks promising.
Reflecting on the current state of sports infrastructure in Nagaland, Wapang pointed out the challenges faced by the state, particularly the lack of basic facilities like football grounds, let alone cricket grounds.
He acknowledged that Nagaland lags behind neighbouring states in terms of sports infrastructure but praised the efforts of associations like the Kohima District Cricket Association (KDCA) for their commendable work. He emphasized that students and aspiring athletes stand to benefit the most from these initiatives.
President of the KDCA Menguvilie Sakhrie spoke about the potential of Kohima to become a thriving cricket hub. He described the inauguration of the practice pitches as the first step in this journey and highlighted the association’s efforts to revive cricket in the region.
He also highlighted the activities hosted and undertaken by the KDCA, who also organized coaching camps and tournaments to reignite interest in the sport and bring it back to life.
He also highlighted that a number of 14 players are representing Nagaland: at U23 Girls – 1; Senior Women’s – 4; U16 Boys – 2; U19 Boys – 4; U23 Men’s – 3.
Honorary Secretary of the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) Anilo Khing shared insights into the NCA’s contributions to the development of cricket in the state. Currently, the NCA manages eight teams, benefiting approximately 120 players.
Khing emphasized that cricket is not just a sport but a source of livelihood for many, from coaches to players. He noted that cricket has a significant impact on the state’s economy with professional fees being paid to the players generating good amount of income.
He informed that the NCA, with the support of various stakeholders, has constructed over 80 cricket pitches across Nagaland. Khing reiterated the NCA’s commitment to promoting the sport and mentioned that two players from Nagaland were recently honoured at the BCCI awards ceremony, showcasing the state’s growing talent.
Advisor KDCA Keviselhou Sekhose who chaired the programme also stated that this programme is part of a project aimed at nurturing budding cricketers.
He informed that Kohima now boasts eight cricket nets, which have played a crucial role in improving the skills of local players and helping them compete with players from other states.
The KDCA is recognized as one of the top-performing cricket associations in Nagaland, contributing significantly to the development of the sport in the region.
The event was organized by the Kohima District Cricket Association (KDCA).