Dimapur: The State Level Half Marathon was held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Monday under the banner ‘SPANDAN’ to foster social harmony, organise grassroots sports culture and youth development in Nagaland, encompassing multiple regional disciplines that include football, badminton and volleyball, alongside half marathons.
The 78 Battalion, CRPF (Sechü-Zubza), organised the race in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Nagaland government.
Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma attended the occasion as the chief guest, calling the event a unique occasion.
Sharma appealed to the SAI to select the best talents from the event for long-distance and middle-distance running.
He also hoped that the best participants of the event would be sponsored and selected by the SAI for better training and coaching to participate at the international level.
The DGP was optimistic that such an event would become a regular feature to create a good platform for the youth of the state.
Delivering his welcome address, Commandant, 78 Bn CRPF, Deven Bhosle, said the Half Marathon event is far more than just a race for medals or a test of physical endurance, but a collective stride toward building a healthier, united society that represents the shared commitment to fostering community harmony, empowering the youth, and voicing a strong collective stance for peace and national integration.
“Every step taken today is a testament to the resilience, greed and true sportsmanship that defines the spirit of Nagaland,” Bhosle said.
A total of 3,000 runners, both male and female, from across the state participated in the event in three different age group categories, and the winners were awarded cash prizes.