Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that the state government has put in place a long-term strategy to transform sports in the state by developing world-class infrastructure and providing athletes with high-quality training to help them excel at the national and international levels.
Inaugurating 16 sports infrastructure projects under the Youth Resources and Sports Department, the Chief Minister said the government's vision is to develop sports infrastructure on par with the best in the country and provide sportspersons with world-class training, enabling them to bring glory to both Nagaland and the nation.
He said the inauguration marked much more than the opening of new infrastructure, as it symbolised the creation of fresh opportunities for the youth and sportspersons across the state. Although the projects were inaugurated virtually at different locations, Rio described the occasion as a significant milestone in Nagaland's sporting journey that would be remembered for years to come.
The programme was virtually attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports S. Keoshu Yimchunger, legislators and senior government officials.
Highlighting the growing importance of sports, the Chief Minister said the sector has evolved far beyond recreation into a vibrant industry capable of generating employment, creating livelihood opportunities and contributing to the overall development of society.
He said that by fostering a strong sporting culture, strengthening the capacity of coaches and trainers, and providing greater exposure to athletes, the state can nurture sporting talent, improve competitiveness and build a brighter future for its youth. Taking to social media platform X, Union Minister Mandaviya said: "Virtually joined Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio ji for the inauguration of 16 new sports infrastructure projects in the state.
Under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are committed to empowering the youth of our Ashtalakshmi, ensuring the region rapidly emerges as India's hub of sporting excellence." The 16 projects comprise four infrastructure facilities developed under the Centre's Khelo India scheme and 12 state-funded initiatives aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure across Nagaland.
The newly inaugurated facilities include multipurpose halls, indoor sports halls, futsal grounds and administrative infrastructure spread across several districts of the state, significantly enhancing access to modern sporting facilities. The Khelo India projects include the construction of multipurpose halls at Changtongya and Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district, a multipurpose hall in Niuland district, and a pre-fabricated indoor sports hall at Wokha.
The state-funded projects include the construction of futsal facilities at Kiphire, Noklak and Wokha Town, a futsal ground with amenities at Chozuba, pre-fabricated multipurpose halls at Wokha Village, Aboi, Tobu, Razaphe Basa, Jakhama Town, the Chief Minister's Residential Complex in Kohima and MDSC, Dimapur, besides the construction of the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS) office and staff quarters at the new district headquarters in Peren.