Eric Miachieo
Kohima | July 25
From Buckingham Palace in October 2009, the Queen’s Baton finally arrived at the State Capital Kohima where it was accorded a warm welcome by its citizens as part of its Nagaland leg of the relay crossing 69 nations which will finally culminate at the XIXth Commonwealth Games in Delhi later in October this year. The Baton, which arrived from Dimapur, was flagged off at the PHQ and was carried into the Khuochiezie Local Ground by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio amidst much fanfare after being relayed by renowned Naga sportspersons led by an impressive convoy of bikes and Gypsy-borne Naga warriors in full traditional regalia to converge at the Local Ground where a function was held to welcome the Queen’s Baton.
Immediately upon entering the Local Ground, the Chief Minister, carrying the baton, was greeted by loud cheers and blowing of quite a good number of the noisy vuvuzelas from the South Africa World Cup finals. Neiphiu Rio himself welcomed the Queen’s Baton with a loud blare from his own vuvuzela to be joined by his colleagues who were also seen sporting their own vuvuzelas.
Addressing the impressive gathering at the Local Ground, the Chief Minister extended a hearty welcome to the Queen’s Baton and the QB team on behalf of ‘Nagaland – The Land of Festivals’ – and expressed profound gratitude to the team on behalf of the people of Nagaland for according a good share of three nights with the Baton.
Commenting on the journey of the Queen’s Baton completing 170,000 km across 69 nations after being launched by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London on October 29, 2009, Rio said the success of the Baton relay has proven that sports has no boundaries, no religion, no political colour or ethnic divide but rather it strengthens bonds and promotes brotherhood, friendship and harmony among communities.
Noting that Nagas still lag far behind in sports, he expressed conviction that this will awaken the youth to strive to bring glory to themselves, their community and their nation. “Wake up and come forward to make a name for yourselves and our nation.
Earn excellence and make our nation proud”, he urged. Meanwhile, on the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, he said for the games, the state government would be sponsoring not ministers but MLAs both in the ruling and Opposition. He also informed that other interested persons desiring to witness the Commonwealth Games may approach the Nagaland Olympic Association and submit their names for ticketing and other related help and support.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Raj Kadyan, Additional Director General, Queen’s Baton Relay and team leader, said Nagaland is the 12th state covered by the team so far and thanked the organizing committee, particularly to the Chief Minister for personally directing the activities for the overwhelming success of the Nagaland leg of the relay.
Former MP from Nagaland, Padmashree K. Asungba Sangtam read out the message of Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. Chief Secretary Lalthara chaired the function.
After the brief function at the Kohima Local Ground, the Baton left for Tuophema Tourist Village where the team would stay for the night after which the Baton would visit Khonoma and Mezoma villages after which it would be escorted back to Dimapur.
