The state’s Department of Youth Resources & Sports today rewarded 305 sportspersons achievers in 15 disciplines with a total cash award of Rs. 5,800,000
This cash award was in recognition of the sportspersons from Nagaland who have excelled and brought laurels to the state in their respective disciplines.
Badminton coach T. Imtisungit Ao was decorated with the best coach award amounting to Rs. 100,000
The award was given away jointly by Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, State Lotteries & Music Task Force, Khriehu Liezietsu, and Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar at the award ceremony here at Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Zeliang expressed immense pleasure to felicitate and give awards to meritorious sportspersons and coaches who have brought laurels to the state. He mentioned that the government of Nagaland has instituted the cash awards in the year 2006-07 with the sole intention to recognize and encourage sportspersons in the State.
While expressing his gratitude, he also called upon the winners not to rest on their achievements, but instead to strive harder in order to achieve greater heights in the coming days.
He assured that the State government would leave no stone unturned by providing better sports infrastructure and facilities in the years to come.
Keeping in mind the role of coaches in determining a sports person’s achievement he quoted the adage, “Behind every successful man is a woman”. “Likewise, behind a very successful sportsperson is a coach,” he said.
Youth Resources & Sports Director Asangla Imti said the state government has instituted cash award to encourage sportsperson and coaches so that they reach out for higher goals and strive for excellence.
It consists of cash awards along with certificates for sportspersons who have represented the state and brought laurels in various international, national and zonal level recognized tournament in sports discipline as categorized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and in line with the Nagaland sports policy.
Coaches contributing to the success of the team and individual, sportsperson and impart training with devotion to motivate the youth in the pursuits of sports activities get a cash awards of Rs. 1 lakh, scroll and blazer.
The cash award for meritorious sportsperson was formalized in the year 2006-07 wherein 137 number of sportsperson were given recognition. The last cash award event was held during 2012-13.
“Today, the state and the department in taking up the achievers with effect from 2013-14 till March 2016 comprising of 617 awards to 305 sports persons in 15 disciplines and one coach from badminton discipline,” she said.