NVFA visits Kevi Children Home Kohima

KOHIMA, AUG 26 (NPN): Commemorating National Sports Day, the Nagaland Veterans Football Association (NVFA) on Wednesday visited Kevi Children Home at Lerie Colony, Kohima, where it spent time with the children and donated footballs, badminton equipment, baskets, sweets and other items.
Commissioner & Secretary, Youth Resources and Sports, Anthony Ngullie, said the idea for the visit came after the association’s finance secretary shared about his visit to the home on Independence Day.
Ngullie said he subsequently learnt that around 15 to 16 children were staying at the home and discussed the idea of a visit with other NVFA members. He said only four members could attend as several were in other districts, while others had official and personal commitments.
Describing the NVFA as a voluntary organisation of football enthusiasts, Ngullie said its members continued to play in their respective age groups while promoting fitness and their passion for the sport.
Referring to National Sports Day, observed on August 29 in honour of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, Ngullie said the Department of Youth Resources and Sports was organising various programmes as part of the celebrations, including athletics meet at IG Stadium and the National Sports Awards on August 29.
He said the NVFA decided to reach out to the children as sports development had to begin at the grassroots level. He stressed that children needed opportunities from a young age to discover and develop their talents.
Ngullie said he would discuss with departmental officers the possibility of involving the children in suitable sports programmes in the future.
Encouraging the children, he referred to the Liverpool Football Club phrase, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and urged them to remain strong, never give up and continue praying for strength, confidence and a good future.
Sharing a personal note, Ngullie said he had three sons and that although they were now grown up, being around young children remained a joy. He also jokingly referred to NVFA general secretary Burakum as a young father.
Ngullie expressed gratitude to the home’s management for welcoming the association and said the members were happy to spend time with the children.
Kevi Children Home superintendent Cynthia Soleho said the home regularly organised activities for the children, including basket-making and pickle-making training, awareness and sensitisation programmes, social work, sports and educational activities.
She said the children had their own committee comprising a president, secretary, games and sports committee and action committee, which held monthly meetings independently and decided on activities such as Bible recitation and craft-making competitions.
On healthcare, Soleho said the home was linked with the Urban Primary Health Centre at Waterden, where the children underwent general health check-ups twice a year. She added that a staff nurse was available at the home, monthly health records were maintained and the health centre provided free first-aid kits.
She said the home also organised an annual picnic, sports activities and educational trip and was now in its ninth year of operation.
Soleho expressed gratitude to visitors and well-wishers, saying such visits provided encouragement and strength to the children and staff, particularly during challenging times. She hoped the NVFA’s visit would not be its first and last and assured the visitors of the home’s prayers.
NVFA general secretary Burakum also shared words of encouragement with the children.
The visit was part of the NVFA’s initiative to mark National Sports Day by promoting sports at the grassroots level and encouraging children to participate in sporting activities.