New sports policy for NE a welcome step

It is heartening to note that the Centre is preparing a new sports policy for the trouble-torn North-Eastern region. At a time, when the world is facing greatest ever threat from destructive forces, who want to ruin mankind, special emphasis on sports will definitely make the task harder for the perpetrators of terrorism. Because, stress on sporting activities will not allow the sponsors of terrorism to lure away the youth from mainstream to the path of violence. It is hoped that sports will continue to get greater attention not only in the North-East, but also in other parts of the world where subversive forces are trying to disturb peace.

Apart from keeping the disruptive forces away, special emphasis on sports in the North-Eastern region will also help the nation in many other ways too. Notwithstanding tremendous enthusiasm for sports in the country, India has so far failed to make a mark in the international sporting arena. Apart from few good performances from some individuals and some success in hockey, India has always returned empty-handed from numerous international events like the Olympics.

The North-East can really enhance India’s reputation as a sporting nation as the region has abundance of talents. Besides, according to the experts, the people of the region are genetically gifted for sports like long-distance running, boxing, judo, cycling, football and hockey, etc. In recent times Dingko Singh and Merykom have shown what the NE sportspersons are capable of. While Dingko won the boxing gold at the last Asiad, Merykom became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the World Women’s Boxing Championship held in US recently. Given a chance, sportspersons from the region can join the ranks of Dingko and Merykom.

But a separate policy alone will not bring the desired results. Along with the special policy, attention should be paid to provide proper infrastructures to the budding sportspersons of the region. Courtesy National Games, Manipur is now blessed with international standard facilities. But other North-Eastern states are not so lucky. Mizoram does not have a full-size football ground. There is no sign of grass in the Kohima stadium in Nagaland. Qualified coaches are also a rarity in the North-East. One can only hope that the new sports policy will take care of these needs as well apart from providing impetus to sporting activities in the region. Otherwise, the new policy will remain only in paper like some other policies and programs in the past.
           
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