Zhaleo calls for serious pursuit of sports; Kire seeks national-standard facility
DIMAPUR, AUG 28 (NPN): Advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, has called on young people to pursue sports with the same commitment as their studies, stressing that discipline, dedication and proper time management were essential for success in both fields.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the ANPSA Dimapur District Table Tennis Competition and Catch Them Young U-14 Sepaktakraw Tournament 2026 at Grace Academy, Dimapur, on Friday. Zhaleo said sports could provide promising career opportunities for young people. He encouraged students to actively participate in sporting activities and make the most of platforms that help identify and nurture their talents.
The event was organized by the All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA), Dimapur Unit, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports.
Stressing Nagaland’s sporting potential, Rio said the State possessed considerable talent which needed to be identified and nurtured. He said sports should not be viewed merely as recreation or a means of physical fitness, but also as a possible career avenue for young people.
He encouraged students to identify the discipline they were interested in and pursue it seriously while maintaining a balance with academics. He also called on parents, schools and student bodies to provide young athletes with the necessary guidance and support.
Recalling his tenure as director of Youth Resources & Sports, Zhaleo highlighted the development of Sepaktakraw in Nagaland and acknowledged coach Holshe Khrieo for his contribution to the discipline. He said Nagaland had produced more than 20 national and international Sepaktakraw players over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, president of the Nagaland Sepaktakraw Association, Ruokuo Kire, who was the special guest, described the Catch Them Young initiative as an important platform for introducing children to Sepaktakraw at an early age.
Kire highlighted Nagaland’s achievements in the discipline, stating that the State’s women’s team was among the top two in the country, while the men’s team ranked among the top 10. He also said two Naga women players and two coaches had been selected to represent India at the forthcoming Asian Games in China.
However, he pointed to the lack of adequate infrastructure, saying athletes in Nagaland often trained in open playgrounds while competing against teams equipped with proper indoor facilities. Kire therefore urged the Department of Youth Resources & Sports and the State government to consider establishing a national-standard Sepaktakraw stadium in Nagaland. He further encouraged the young participants to balance sports and education, emphasizing discipline, dedication and determination as key to building a successful sporting career.
The inaugural programme included unfurling of the ANPSA flag, a welcome address, a group song by students of Grace Academy, speeches by the guests, oath-taking and the declaration of the games open.
Convenor of the ANPSA Dimapur Sepaktakraw and Table Tennis Committee, Ketoulhou Sekhose, delivered the welcome address, while proprietor of Lorna’s Higher Secondary School, Trevor Jamir, administered the oath. The closing prayer was offered by chairman of Bethesda Higher Secondary School Rev. Moses Murry. The tournaments seek to provide school students with an avenue to identify and develop their sporting abilities while promoting discipline, teamwork and healthy competition. Around 147 student and 14 schools participating in the event.