Achumbemo Kikon with others at State Level ‘Catch Them Young’ U-14 Sepaktakraw Tournament in Kohima on September 22. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 22
The State Level ‘Catch Them Young’ U-14 Sepaktakraw Tournament for both boys and girls got underway today at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima with the participation of 27 schools from 12 districts of Nagaland.
During the two-daylong event, 12 districts will compete for Boys regu event. The participating teams includes; Dimapur- Holy Cross Higher Secondary School and Little Star Higher secondary School, Chumoukedima- King David Higher Secondary. School, Kohima- Baptist School Viswema, Kiphire-Loyola Higher Secondary School, Noklak- Holy Angel School, Niuland- Bethel Higher Secondary School, Peren- LM Higher Secondary School, Mhainamtsi and St Xavier Higher Secondary School, Jalukie, Mon- St. John’s Higher Secondary School and Green Valley School, Wokha-Mt. Carmel School, Phek- Nazareth Higher Secondary School, Pfutsero, Zunheboto- St Clare School and Longleng- Christian School Longleng.
The participating teams for Girls Regu event includes; Dimapur- Greenwood Higher Secondary School, Chumoukedima- Vision Higher Secondary School, Kohima- St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Kiphire- Agape Higher Secondary School, Niuland- Bethel Higher Secondary School, Peren- Kirjath Jearim Mission School and Mungleu Valley School, Saijang, Mon- St. Mary’s School, Wokha- Regimental School, Phek- Good Shepherd Baptist School, Kikruma, Zunheboto-St. Clare School and Longleng- Christian School Longleng.
Source informed that the department will identify the potential players from this tournament and take them to higher level.
‘Take sports seriously’
Gracing the inaugural function as the special guest, Achumbemo Kikon, Advisor, SCERT & Food Processing department, Nagaland, encouraged the students to take sports seriously and make use of the opportunities available to develop their talents.
Speaking about Sepaktakraw, he said the sport has evolved over centuries and has developed into a regulated competitive discipline.
He expressed happiness over the Sepak Takraw players from Nagaland, making it to the world stage and bringing laurel to the state and the country.
Kikon said that sports not only helps young people develop their physique but also provides opportunities to build a career through their sporting talent.
He encouraged the participants to identify their strengths, noting that every young person have different talents and abilities.
Referring to the participation of smaller nations in international sporting events, Kikon encouraged young Nagas to believe in their potential to compete at the national and international levels.
‘Catch them young, teach them right’
Anthony Ngullie, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Youth Resources & Sports Department, said that the department is fully dedicated to encourage and support young talented sports persons through the approach of “Catch them young and teach them right” for excellence.
In this, he said “it is the endeavor of the department to conduct various sport tournaments for young athletes.”
Pheluopfelie Kesiezie, Senior Advisor, All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) Central also delivered a short speech.
He stressed on the need to concentrate on certain areas of sports that are suited for physique and reflexes, which can help earn Gold medal at the world stage.
Earlier, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director, Youth Resources & Sports chaired the inaugural function while Khriehutuo Tsira, Joint Director, Youth Resources & Sports, administered oath to the participating teams.
The tournament is organized by Department of Youth Resources & Sports in collaboration with All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA)
Meanwhile, Anthony Ngullie and Bithungo Kikon, president ANPSA will grace the closing programme on September 23 at 3:00 PM.
