One of the 5 multidisciplinary indoor sports stadia at Sovima, Chümoukedima, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on November 13.
Multifaceted sports infra essential to training-grooming talent, says CM Rio
• A 6th to be completed soon
• Averaging Rs 3.5 crore per unit
• More projects in pipeline
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 13
Reminiscent of the Union Home Minister remotely inaugurating 5 projects located in Nagaland from the Niathu Resort, in January, early this year, the State witnessed a similar event on November 13.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated 5 multidisciplinary indoor sports facilities, developed in 5 different districts, at a programme in Chümoukedima.
The assets included one Multidiscipline Sports Stadium each in Chümoukedima, Niuland, Tseminyu, Tuensang and Noklak. The one in Chümoukedima is located at Sovima, right next to the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, where the inauguration event was held on Monday evening. Officials in the 4 other districts linked up with the event online.
The sixth in Shamator will be completed in a few weeks time.
According to the Chief Minister, the six indoor stadiums were sanctioned during 2021-22, under the ‘Special Assistance and Innovative Programme’ of the state government, averaging Rs 3.5 cr per unit.
The stadiums were built using pre-fabricated materials on EPC (Engineering, Procurement, And Construction) mode by one M/s Infrastructure Development Consortium. The one in Sovima is said to be air-conditioned and can hold badminton, table tennis, volleyball, sepak takraw and combat sports.
Ten more such stadiums have been sanctioned to be built in the state. The locations where the proposed stadiums will be set up were not disclosed however.
He informed that more sports facilities, including indoor stadiums, astro-turf football stadiums, multi-purpose indoor halls and training centres will be inaugurated in the coming weeks, in different districts. He also listed “other projects” that include laying of synthetic tracks, building of centres of excellence, playgrounds and sports complexes as in the pipeline, besides the development of 6 futsal grounds in districts which do not have one.
According to him, the indoor stadium in Sovima adds a key requirement to the Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence as the state needs a dedicated multi-sports centre for enabling the hosting of national and even international events. Besides, he termed multifaceted sports infrastructure as essential to training.
While stating that the government is dedicating Chümoukedima as a “Sports & Education City,” the CM said that the other districts must also find their niche for which the elected legislators and “think-tanks” must work out strategies.
Terming the Nagas as naturally gifted in sports, he said this has been exhibited in the National Games in Goa where the state contingent bagged 8 medals. “We just need the right platform to groom and hone our inherent talents,” he noted. He added that he will be personally felicitating the Nagaland team soon.
Upcoming sports events
The CM listed the Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games, Nagaland College Games, Nagaland School Olympics and North East Olympic Games as the major upcoming events. “It is my belief that through these tournaments we will boost the spirit of sportsmanship among the energetic Naga youngsters,” he said.
Multi-sports Complex
Over 20 years in the pipeline, the Multidisciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur would likely get a new lease of life. According to the CM, the state government is trying to get the funds required to complete the sports complex, which has consumed almost 60 cr since construction started in 2005. “We will not stop till we achieve our goal to build up our youth,” he said.
Sports Policy
The elusive Sports Policy also found a fleeting mention in the CM’s speech. He said that the state government has been attempting to formulate a comprehensive sports policy for Nagaland. In March 2018, right after the Rio-led PDA government was sworn-in; it pledged the framing of a new state Sports Policy within 100 days. The deadline expired on June 16, 2018.
