Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday spoke about the importance of dedication, discipline and determination in sports, saying consistency in these areas would help sportspersons reach the Olympic level.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony for Nagaland’s sepaktakraw team representatives to the 20th Asian Games in Japan in 2026, held at the conference room of the Nagaland Cricket Association at Sovima in Chumoukedima, Rio congratulated the players and coaches on their selection to represent India at the Asian Games.
He said their talent, hard work and dedication had earned them the opportunity to represent the country at the national and international levels. He conveyed his best wishes to the team for their future success.
Rio exhorted them to make the state and the country proud through their achievements.
The Nagaland representatives to the Asian Games included women players Menenu Tsukru and Seyiekhrieno Tepa, and coaches Puleno Neikha and Pungotolu Puro.
They were selected to be part of the Indian women’s sepaktakraw team for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The selection marked the fifth consecutive Asian Games since 2010 in which Nagaland’s sepaktakraw players and coaches have represented India.