The Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland on Saturday conducted a cash award ceremony for meritorious sportspersons 2026 in observance of National Sports Day at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Cash awards of Rs 23 lakh have been awarded to 89 outstanding athletes, including two coaches, a referee and young achiever, who excelled at the national and international level in the various disciplines.
The award has been conferred in the discipline of Sepaktakraw, Taekwondo, Shooting, Athletics, Boxing, Archery, Badminton and Pencak Silat.
Puleno Neikha, Sports Coach (Sepktaktraw) and Deep Kumar, Sports Coach (Pencak Silat) have been conferred with the coaches award.
Mechievilie, National Referee (Football) was the recipient of referee award while Wangshem Konyak (Football) has been conferred with Young Achiever award.
The winners of the Athletics Meet 2026, conducted by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports during the commemorative programme of National Sports Day, have also been honoured on the occasion.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Anthony Ngullie, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Youth Resources and Sports, said Nagaland has produced many outstanding athletes who have brought glory to the state through their dedication, discipline and continuous effort.
He said that National Sports Day commemorated the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary Indian hockey player.
Stating that the achievers had inspired young athletes to dream big and represent the country, he said “Let us celebrate sports, honour our champions and encourage every young talent strive and succeed.”