DYRS launches mentorship, skill-based prog

KOHIMA, JUN 9 (NPN): The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), Nagaland, has launched two major initiatives – the Mentorship Programme for Holistic Development of Student Athletes and the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for athletes of Indira Gandhi (I.G.) Academy, Kohima. The programmes were formally introduced on June 9 at Hall A, Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, with secretary Anthony Ngullie as the special guest.
Speaking at the launch, Ngullie emphasized that the initiatives were designed with the welfare and future of athletes in mind. He explained that while many athletes join the academy with aspirations to excel in sports and academics, challenges often arise. Some athletes complete their tenure successfully, while others leave midway due to academic or personal struggles. To address these concerns, the department conceived the mentorship programme, which will provide tailored guidance to athletes in smaller groups rather than treating them as one large cohort. Under this initiative, mentors will be assigned to groups of 10–12 athletes drawn from different age groups, academic classes and sporting disciplines. Through regular one-on-one interactions, mentors will identify specific challenges faced by individual athletes and provide support in sports, academics, lifestyle, and personal development. Ngullie described the programme as a noble endeavour, noting that it will foster closer relationships between mentors and athletes, thereby ensuring more effective guidance.
The department has developed a comprehensive framework for the mentorship programme, while also encouraging mentors to innovate and introduce new approaches. Ngullie shared success stories from earlier initiatives and expressed optimism about achieving greater outcomes.
Youth Resources and Sports Officer Naroenla, in her remarks, highlighted the academy’s role in nurturing sporting talent in Nagaland. She noted that athletes face challenges in balancing sports, academics, personal development, and career aspirations, making mentorship essential. A total of 11 mentors, including Ngullie himself, have been assigned to guide approximately 12–13 athletes each. The programme will run until March 2027, focusing on academic progress, physical and mental well-being, discipline, life skills, and career awareness.
Recognizing the importance of preparing athletes for life beyond sports, the department has also introduced the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme. This initiative targets athletes above 15 years of age and aims to provide vocational and entrepreneurial skills that can generate livelihood opportunities and promote self-reliance.
Scheduled to begin on June 11 and continue until October, the programme will cover five vocational skills: mobile repairing, crochet, pickle making and food processing, baking and basic confectionery, and floristry and floral arrangement. Each skill module will last one month, comprising two weeks of expert-led training followed by two weeks of guided self-practice.
Participants will also gain exposure to financial literacy, marketing, customer relations, and small business management. They will interact with successful entrepreneurs and resource persons, equipping them with practical knowledge to transform their skills into income-generating opportunities. Both programmes reaffirm the department’s commitment to the holistic growth of athletes. While sports remain the primary focus, the initiatives aim to equip athletes with the skills, confidence and support needed to navigate life beyond the playing field. By combining mentorship with vocational training, the department seeks to empower athletes, foster resilience and create lasting positive impacts on their lives.
The launch programme was chaired by director of Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose, while Girls Warden of I.G. Academy, Veculu Thisa, offered the invocation.