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Nagaland Olympic Association partners with SFA
Mumbai: Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and Sports For All (SFA), have announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the grassroots ecosystem in the state. The announcement was made in attendance of esteemed dignitaries, Neiphiu Rio chief minister of Nagaland; Y Patton deputy CM, Nagaland; Abu Metha advisor to CM and chairman IDAN and Neivikuolie Khatsu, assistant secretary general, NOA, along with SFA team represented by Rishikesh Joshi, founder and Tilak Kakkad, director’s office. This partnership marks a significant step towards the realization of the shared vision to encourage sports participation, empower talent, and build a platform for athletes to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
Nagaland, known for its rich cultural heritage, has been making commendable strides in sports. The recently announced Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024 across 16 sporting disciplines underscore the state’s dedication to creating opportunities for athletes. Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Football, etc. are some of the key sports of the state. Previously, Nagaland has also produced some great sportsmen like Dr. T Ao (the first captain of the Indian Olympic football team) and Chekrovolu Swuro (Olympian archer and Arjuna Awardee).
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio shared, “Nagaland Olympic Association and Sports For All (SFA), together aim to create an environment that encourages sports at the grassroots level and ignites a passion for excellence. Our aim is to bring about sustainable change for our state, through sports. Introducing a sporting culture in school, strengthening the same in college, and creating a strong ecosystem for women athletes and coaches, are key initiatives that make Nagaland a great contender to host the National Games”.
Adding to this revolutionary association, expressed IDAN advisor to CM and chairman Abu Metha, “This partnership is aligned with our vision to broaden the sporting ecosystem in Nagaland and offer an opportunity for our athletes to test their capabilities and gain exposure. We are looking forward to the journey of triumph and personal growth that lies ahead for our athletes, our future Champions”.
SFA, India’s largest tech-enabled multi-sports school competition platform, has been working towards the development of the grassroots sports ecosystem of the country, since its inception in 2015. Through this partnership, the company will facilitate its flagship IP – SFA Championships – a pivotal platform for developing grassroots sports in the state and the country. The commitment of the NOA and the Government of Nagaland will be a catalyst in the discovery of sporting talent at the SFA Championships.
Speaking on the partnership, Sports For All (SFA) founder Rishikesh Joshi elaborated, “The partnership with Nagaland Olympic Association strengthens our mission to enable a platform for the country’s youth to compete and play sports. Nagaland has seen significant growth in terms of sporting infrastructure and budding athletes, and this association will assist in furthering the sporting ecosystem of the state and our country. After having created a valuable impact across 9 cities within a span of three months, SFA Championships will now make a debut in the North-East, the grounds of emerging sporting potential”.
With the forward path to host 150 Championships across 50 cities of India, in the next five years, this partnership is a move forward in making sports accessible for school athletes across the country, thereby empowering today’s talent to become the Champions of tomorrow. The journey to represent the country at the Olympics is what SFA Championships is enabling for emerging athletes.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
