How Are Khelo India Beach Games Creating Opportunities for Nagaland’s Sepak Takraw Girls?

Diu, May 21 (NationPress) In a powerful video address during the launch of the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the transformational impact of sports, declaring that the KIBG is poised to become a significant chapter in India’s sports narrative.

Puleno Neikha, coach of the women’s sepak takraw team from Nagaland, fully resonates with PM Modi’s vision. She stated that the influence of sports has been evident in Nagaland over recent years, and this remarkable initiative from the Government of India will create new pathways of opportunity for the girls of Nagaland.

Sepak takraw has emerged as the most popular sport in Nagaland since its introduction in 1995, thanks to physical education teacher Holse Khario and the support of the Sports Authority of India. The sport has significantly developed in the state, with numerous boys and girls now actively participating.

Since 2004, the state government has provided specialized training facilities for sepak takraw in Dimapur. Coach Puleno, who has a background as a national-level player and served as the women’s team coach at the 2018 Asian Games, currently trains a group of talented girls at this academy. Remarkably, six members of her team are now employed with the Nagaland Police, with three securing their positions due to their achievements in sepak takraw.

“Our girls have consistently earned medals at every competitive level. We secured a bronze medal in the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games and have previously excelled at the Goa National Games and the senior nationals this January. Furthermore, our boys and girls have amassed multiple medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar. Our athletes have continually triumphed at all Khelo India events. With the launch of the Beach Games by the Government of India, I am confident this will unveil new opportunities for our young athletes,” Puleno expressed to SAI Media.

She also highlighted that sepak takraw enjoys widespread recognition in Nagaland, with the government actively promoting the sport, leading to the emergence of numerous exceptional international players.

“The government is making substantial efforts to enhance sepak takraw. Following our players' medal wins at the Goa National Games and Senior Nationals, they received cash rewards. The sport consistently features on the Khelo India platform, and its inclusion in the inaugural Beach Games signifies its growing popularity nationwide. This will undoubtedly benefit our players in the future,” Puleno remarked.

Ketose Thiyosikose, head of the Nagaland delegation in Diu and Sports Director in Dimapur, revealed that a dedicated grassroots talent search is underway for sepak takraw.

“We conduct coaching camps in rural areas, where most of our players originate. Many of the girls competing in Diu come from these rural settings. We enroll them in our academy between the ages of 10 to 14, where they accumulate valuable experience.

“The selected athletes receive training in open fields, enhancing their adaptability for sand play,” Thiyosikose added, “Naga girls exhibit exceptional dedication. Coming from a hilly region, they have a natural affinity for sepak takraw.”