A match between Kohima and Mokokchung district at 18th All Nagaland Inter District Volleyball Tournament 2021 in Kohima on November 24. (Morung Photo)
Nagaland Olympic Association now ‘streamlined’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 24
The 18th All Nagaland Inter-District Volleyball Tournament 2021 (men & women) organized under the aegis of Nagaland Volleyball Association (NVA) and hosted by Kohima District Volleyball Association (KDVA) got underway at Indira Gandhi Stadium on November 24.
Seven districts- Tuensang, Mokokchung, Dimapur, Kohima, Longleng, Mon and Phek registered for the tournament.
Gracing the inaugural function as the special guest, Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland assured the support of the state government and Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) for promotion of volleyball in the state.
He said that Naga youth have a natural tendency and natural ability to excel in sports discipline like volleyball. Stating that volleyball is one of the most entertaining sports discipline and ranked as top 5 most popular sports discipline in the world, he said “Therefore, the state government, sports department cannot neglect the discipline like volleyball” and encouraged the sports department to re-look at the importance of volleyball discipline. “We will make efforts to increase the financial assistance to sports disciplines. We will make efforts to support you more,” he said and encouraged the NVA to come up with calendar of activities and master plan to develop the discipline of volleyball from grassroot level onwards.
NOA streamlined in serious manner
Metha, who is also secretary general of NOA said that NOA is now being streamlined in very serious manner and it will be operating throughout the year. “We will be having software management system for all the sports associations. We will work in coordinated manner so that we promote sports and games not as a recreational activity but as a professional activity that has opportunities for gainful career for our youth,” he said.
Metha assured that the NOA will put its best to take the Naga youth forward in the field of games and sports.
He said that Naga society must look sports at the different view and understand the dynamics of change so that the younger generation does not miss the bus of opportunities that lies in sports. “We too want our sports persons to become Olympic champions, Asian games champions, commonwealth games champions,” he said.
‘Give appropriate importance in sports’
He said that the Naga society and the state government have to make the right investment and the state of the art infrastructure put in place to promote sports in the state.
Also stating that sports associations face tremendous challenges to promote sports today in Nagaland, he said “With this, the government, the policy makers and the decision makers must understand the fact and give appropriate importance in the fields of games and sports.”
Admitting that Naga youth are really talented, creative and innovative, he said “We have to give them the right platform, the right avenues, the right facilities and encouragement so that they can become champions.
‘There are no shortcuts in sports’
Metha said that in the field of games and sports there are no shortcuts. There are no under table arrangement. He maintained that that in the field of games and sports there is only one way to go forward and that is hard work and dedication. Further, he said that in sports, there are winners and losers. The one who run the extra miles, the one who sweat extra bucket, the one who make extra sacrifices are the one who ended up as winners.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Daniel R. Angami, SDO (C) Kohima and convenor Host Committee. NVA vice president Jacob Yanthan also spoke at the programme. The champions in both men and women category will receive Rs. 20,000 each while runner-up will get Rs. 10,000. The best libero, best spiker and best setter will get Rs. 2500 each in both men and women category.
Day 1 result (Till 5:00 PM)
Women
Kohima beat Mokokchung 25-22, 25-19
Mon beat Phek 25-21, 25-23
Kohima beat Longleng 25-12, 25-12
Phek beat Tuensang 25-12, 25-20
Men
Kohima beat Mokokchung
19-25, 31-29, 25-16
Phek beat Longleng 25-19, 25-16
Dimapur beat Tuensang 26-24, 25-17
Kohima beat Longleng 25-19, 25-12
Mokokchung beat Phek 25-21, 25-15
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