South Asian Cross-Country Championships and 56th National Cross- Country Championships culminated with the Grand Finale hosted by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kohima Cultural Hall on 26th March 2022.
Addressing the gathering of dignitaries, athletes, officials and others, Rio thanked the SAAF and AFI for giving the opportunity to Nagaland to host the historic event in Kohima. He said it was the first international event being held and the attendance of the SAAF and AFI officials was a great morale booster.
Appreciating the athletes from Nagaland, he said getting a medal in the beginning stage of athletics participation is a huge encouragement for the development of the sport. He stressed on the need to meet for national games so that players as well as infrastructure can develop. While congratulating the winners, he thanked the volunteers, Bank of Baroda, officials, and all the participants for coming to Nagaland.
Senior VP of AFI, Anju Bobby George said that the cross country championships has created a milestone in the history of Nagaland. She appreciated the efforts taken by the government and the federation for conducting a successful event and she gave her best wishes to the athletes in their future ventures.
President SAAF, Dr. Lalit Kumar Bhanot congratulated the Nagaland Olympic Association as well as the government of Nagaland for successfully hosting the SACCC and said that it was one of the most well organised competitions in the history of the South Asian Cross Country Championships.
Adille Sumariwalla, President Athletics Federation of India, also spoke at the grand finale of the 56th SACCC. He congratulated the State of Nagaland and the Nagaland Olympic Association who under the leadership of its president Neiphiu Rio conducted a truly international event and said that hosting such events would surely create enthusiasm among the younger generation. He also congratulated the Nagaland Athletes who competed at the event and won its first medal at the national cross country championship. He urged the Government of Nagaland to create high performance centers for Athletes in every district in the state and said that the Athletic Federation of India would provide all technical expertise and co-operation.
Associate VP of AFI, Abu Metha said that the South Asian cross country championships will not only be the landmark sporting event for Nagaland but it will be a journey and an event to remember. This event has given young Naga people in every part of the state the ambition and the knowledge to understand the fact that if given an opportunity, they can do better and bigger than anybody else.
Metha extended appreciation to all citizens of the State for coming forward and supporting the organisation in making the event a reality. He added that this event has announced Nagaland’s arrival at the national and international scene. He said sport is a unifying power and it has unified more nations and people than any other human activity and through this event Kohima has brought not only South Asia under one roof but also entire India under one roof. Metha added that there is a rise of vibrancy and enthusiasm for sports among the Naga youths, and asked the youths to have the courage and the bravery to reach the highest standards.
