State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has announced a cash award of Rs. 25 lakhs for Chekrovolu Swuro for becoming the first Naga Olympian from Nagaland in more than sixty years and further promised another one crore cash award if she won any medal in the individual events.

According to a press statement from the chief minister’s secretariat (camp: London), Neiphiu Rio who is in London to witness the Olympic Games and the performance of Chekrovolu Swuro, wished her all success for the individual events and stated that her feat of reaching the highest level of the sports arena on the planet was a moment of pride and joy for the country and the people of Nagaland in particular.

The chief minister also stated that her feat has shown all Nagas that it was possible to get there and expressed confidence Chekrovolu’s achievement would motivate and inspire a new generation of Nagas to excel at the international stage.

Rio while interacting with Chekrovolu and her sister and brother-in-law in London said that all Nagas were proud of her and advised her to perform to the best of her ability irrespective of whether she wins a medal or not.

The chief minister, who is also the President of the Nagaland Archery Association and the Nagaland Olympic Association, was at the Lords Cricket Ground where the archery events are taking place, and interacted with Chekrovolu, her family members and also Chekrovolu’s former coach Byung-Sun Youn, who is from Korea and is presently the Secretary General of the Korea Archery Association, said the statement.

Rio was accompanied by minister for planning & coordination, veterinary & animal husbandry, T.R. Zeliang and press secretary to the chief minister & president Nagaland Athletic Association and Abu Metha, press secretary to the chief minister. Rio also wished the Indian Olympic contingent all success in the Games.