Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 7
The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) has appealed to the Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr Mansukh L. Mandaviya, for the construction of Dr T Ao Stadium in Kohima, in honor of Late Dr T Ao, the first captain of the Indian Olympic Football team in 1948 and the flag bearer for India at the London Olympics.
The plea was made during Dr Mandaviya’s two-day visit to Nagaland, which began on December 7. The Union Minister attended an interaction program at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima, organized by the Nagaland Olympic Association, which also involved 24 sports associations and the Department of Labour & Employment, Youth Resources & Sports.
In addition to the request for Dr T Ao Stadium, the Nagaland Olympic Association called for increased Khelo India centres in the state, the establishment of a SAI Centre of Excellence in Dimapur, and the inclusion of belt wrestling and pencak silat in the upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand. The Association also sought additional infrastructure support for sports development in Nagaland.
In response, Dr Mandaviya assured the consideration of constructing a hockey turf in Nagaland.
The Department of Labour & Employment and Youth Resources & Sports made a PowerPoint presentation on various initiatives.
