Reacting to the cabinet’s decision to rename Indira Gandhi (IG) Stadium in Kohima to Dr. T. Ao Stadium, the Kohima Village Council (KVC), Wednesday asserted that the government must maintain the status quo with regard to IG Stadium.
In a press release, KVC chairman, Dr. Neiphi Kire, and secretary, Zeneizo Rutsa, said they were delighted to observe that games and sports were finally getting the recognition and attention it deserved. They also said it was encouraging to see that the new government was bringing positive changes in the fields of games and sports by introducing a New Nagaland Sports policy, Dr. T. Ao Football Academy etc.
However, the KVC opined that changing the name of Indira Gandhi Stadium to Dr. T. Ao Stadium was not advisable, because there were other ways to honour someone without dishonouring the other. After all, KVC said late Indira Gandhi was the former Prime Minister of India.
Further, the council also pointed out that the foundation stone of the stadium was laid by Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India, on October 6, 1987. Besides, KVC said the inauguration of IG Stadium was done on October 28, 2003 by none other than Atal Behari Vajpayee, another Prime Minister of India.
The Foundation stone, Inaugural Stone are laid prominently at the entrance of the gallery for all to see, said KVC, adding that to destroy these historical monoliths physically was not a wise decision.
“Therefore we are surprised that the Government has suddenly decided to do away with the legacy of these former Prime Ministers without consultation with the stake holders, landowners and public leaders,” KVC said.
Meanwhile, the council expressed its opinion that if at all the government wished to honour late Dr. T. Ao, then it should establish a new stadium altogether elsewhere and not show disrespect to the country’s prime ministers.