Nagaland Athletics Association (NAA) has elected a new team of office bearers with advisor to chief minister and chairman, IDAN, Abu Metha, as the president and Mhonsao Ngullie as the honorary secretary.
This was informed by Metha during a press conference at Nagaland Olympic Association building on Saturday following the annual general meeting of the association.
Other executive members in the new team include senior vice president (VP) Khriehutuo Tsira, VPs-Wennyei Konyak and Dziesebeinuo Vizo, treasurer Neingulie Nakhro, senior joint secretary Purna Konyak, jt secys. Asakho Joseph and C Tongen Thai and executive-member Khriezotuonuo.
Metha thanked the members of NAA for electing him as the president and hoped that the association would continue to bring laurels to the state through sports.
He pointed out that the present team of executives comprised of more than 90% former athletes and 30% women which had surpassed the national average of 25% women executives as directed by the Athletics Federation of India and World Athletics.
He said the election result for the new team was announced by AFI observer who also attended the AGM.
Metha pointed out that AFI was one of the oldest sports governing bodies in the country and similarly NAA was also one of the oldest in state.
Highlighting NAA’s activities and achievements, Metha said the State was able to conduct the 56th National Cross Country Championship (NCCC) from February 12 to March 25, 2022.
He said this had proven to the whole country that Nagaland was capable of hosting big ticket events. He also said that NAA participated in the National Games for the first time at the 36th Gujarat National Games on September 30, 2022, represented the country at the 1st World Mountain and Trail Running Championship in Chiangmai, Thailand and also created history by winning 23 medals at the North East Olympics in Shillong, including 9 Gold, 4 Silver, 10 Bronze besides winning the Best Athlete title in Senior Men’s and Under 20 Girls.
He said the State team’s performance in event was the best ever in the State’s history.
Metha said NAA was working to develop an ecosystem where workshop and periodical trainings with officials from AFI would be conducted for technical officials and coaches in the State.
He disclosed that currently there were around 50 technical officials who were certified by AFI, however, there was a need to have more of such officials.
In this regard he invited all interested individuals to come forward and take the course and get certified including retired sportspersons, athletes and individuals from any sports disciplines.