3rd Edition of Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024 begins
The third edition of Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024 began at Nagaland Cricket Ground, Sovima, Chümoukedima, on Monday night with great fervour. Addressing the gathering as a special guest, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), stated that despite challenges of decades of insurgency, limited funds and resources, and the fact that NOA got affiliation of the Indian Olympic Association only in 2004, sports in Nagaland was now finally beginning to take a positive turn. Reiterating the government’s commitment to boost sports infrastructure and propel Nagaland towards sporting excellence, he expressed pride in Nagaland’s youth, who had been increasingly making their mark nationally and internationally.
“We will continue to make our best efforts to promote sports at all levels with the clear intention to ensure that our sportspersons do not miss the opportunities of the multi-billion-dollar sports industry,” he assured. He further reiterated the state’s aspiration to host future editions of National Games, soliciting support from the Indian Olympic fraternity towards this end, adding that Nagaland would be hosting the next edition of North East Olympic Games in a month’s time where all eight states of the Northeast were expected to participate.
He urged the athletes to strive for excellence, setting their sights on national and international competitions and representing Nagaland with pride. He reaffirmed the state’s ambition to strive for excellence in all fields, adding that the best vertical for this aspiration was in the arena of sports and games.
Referring to the third edition of Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio said the event would feature competitions across 16 sports disciplines, spanning 15 venues and arenas in Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
He commended the organising committee’s relentless efforts in ensuring the successful execution of the event despite logistical challenges, besides acknowledging the role of volunteers in such endeavours.
Dwelling on the event’s theme “Stronger Together”, he underscored the unifying power of sports, urging athletes to embrace their roles as ambassadors of peace and unity. He also called upon all sections of Nagaland to rally behind the sportspersons, emphasising their significance in promoting unity and solidarity.
“Today, as Nagas seeks unity and oneness, the youth and sportspersons are unifying the Naga people. Sports knows no language and has no tribe. Sports knows only excellence and success. Thank you for sending out a strong message of peace, unity and oneness,” he stated.
Noting that this was perhaps the biggest gathering of youth of Nagaland on one platform, the chief minister remarked that this was indeed a significant achievement and congratulated every athlete who qualified to participate in these games, citing that it was the highest level of sporting competition as far as Nagaland was concerned and that just making it to these games was an achievement by itself.
He also expressed gratitude to all guests for their commitment to participate in the nation building process in this far corner of the country.
Meanwhile, speaking as an honoured guest and reflecting on the recent sporting achievements, All India Football Federation president and IOA vice-president Kalyan Chaubey dwelled upon India’s success in the Asian Games and Paralympic Games, noting the stellar performance of Indian athletes in clinching medals.
He said in today’s India, the spotlight was firmly on sports, which had transcended the barriers of race, wealth, and background.
Referring to the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games, he pointed out the golden opportunity it presented for the athletes and encouraged all participants to dream big and aim for higher competitions. He also expressed the hope that some would go on to represent Nagaland at the national level and eventually don the Indian colours on the global stage.
He reiterated the transformative potential of sports, urging athletes of Nagaland to seize the moment and strive for greatness.
He expressed delight at being part of the third edition of the games, besides acknowledging the beauty of Nagaland and warmth of its people.
The Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024 would be held in Dimapur and Chümoukedima, in which around 3,000 participants are expected to compete across various sports disciplines, and brining laurels to their respective districts.