Cross country championships: The race finally begins

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 25 (EMN): The much-awaited South Asian Cross Country Championships (SACCC) and the 56th National Cross Country Championships (NCCC) will finally set off today at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima after a delay of more than two months.

The sporting event organised under the aegis of South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), was initially scheduled for January 15 but was postponed to March 26 due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The government of Nagaland on Friday organised a musical programme at the Dr. Imakongliba Memorial Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan, in honour of the delegates participating in the two athletics events.

Addressing the gathering, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer welcomed the guests to the state, the land of festivals and home of head-hunter warriors, while expressing delight on behalf of the state over hosting the SACCC and NCCC.

He also exuded hope that the events will foster new friendship and strengthen relationship between the participating athletes.

The NLA Speaker told that it is the first-ever international athletics event to be held in Nagaland and the state is elated about the opportunity and privilege. He also shared the delegates about the feat of Olympians Dr. T Ao and Chekrovolu Swuro, popularity of indigenous Naga wrestling and people’s love for football, citing the state’s top football division- Nagaland Premiere League.

He also said that the state government is committed to promoting sports in all possible ways and convinced about the contributions of sportspersons both individually and as a community.

He went on to acknowledge the Athletic Federation of India for bringing a part of the world to the state through the event.

Earlier, a souvenir titled ‘Akimji’ was released by the dignitaries present at the event.

The guests were entertained by the Coloured Keys; ‘Pong Cholom’ and ‘Thang-Ta’ from Manipur; Nungshi Ponge; Everglow; Pretty Rhythm; Bihu dance- Assamese Cultural Troupe; and Ameü Usou Zao Choir.

It may be mentioned that the chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, also took to Twitter to welcome SAAF President Dr. Lalit K Bhanot, AFI President Adille Sumariwalla, vice president of Indian Olympic Association and Council Member of World Athletics to Nagaland.

Modi extends wishes to participants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nagaland for hosting the event and wished success to the participants.

He stated that sports is an integral aspect of personality development, physical endurance and mental toughness besides inculcating qualities of sportsmanship, team spirit, discipline, and hard work among youngsters.

Maintaining that the Centre is trying to boost sports by recognising and supporting the talents across the country, he said talents emerging from the rural areas, backward classes and tribal society are making the nation proud.

He went on to say that the sporting event is a opportunity for national and international athletes to engage in healthy competition, learn about each other’s nation, society, culture, and customs.