Kohima
The Department of Youth Resources and Sports launched the Mentorship and Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programmes for Athletes of Indira Gandhi Academy to equip athletes with the knowledge, skills, values and opportunities necessary to succeed both in sports and in life.
The program was launched on June 9 at Hall A, Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Speaking at the programme, special guest Anthony Ngullie, IAS, Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports said that the initiatives were introduced with the aim of securing the future and overall well-being of athletes. He stated that the programmes consist of two key components — the Mentorship Programme and the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme.
Ngullie noted that athletes join the academy with the aspiration of excelling in sports while also pursuing academic success. Over the years, the academy has witnessed both achievements and challenges, he said adding while some athletes successfully complete their full tenure at the academy, others leave due to various circumstances. He further said that some athletes also face academic difficulties, which may contribute to other challenges in their lives.
To address these concerns, the department conceptualized the mentorship programme, under which athletes would be divided into smaller groups and assigned mentors. The mentors would identify specific issues affecting each athlete and provide guidance to help them improve not only in sports and academics but also in their personal lives and overall development.
He informed that each mentor would be assigned 10 to 12 athletes from different age groups, classes and sporting disciplines. Through regular one-on-one interactions and close monitoring, mentors would be able to better understand the needs of individual athletes and provide appropriate support.
Ngullie further said that the department has developed a structured framework for the programme, while also encouraging mentors to introduce innovative approaches to make the mentorship process more meaningful and effective. Recalling the success of similar initiatives in the past, he expressed hope that the programme would yield even greater results in the future.
Earlier, Youth Resources and Sports Officer, Naroenla, in her introductory note stated that the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, has launched two important initiatives for the athletes of Indira Gandhi Academy, Kohima — the Mentorship Programme for Holistic Development of Student Athletes and the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for Athletes.
She said the initiatives have been designed to equip athletes with the knowledge, skills, values and opportunities necessary to succeed both in sports and in life.
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Highlighting the role of IG Academy in nurturing sporting talent in the state, she said the journey of an athlete extends beyond training and competitions. Many student-athletes face challenges in balancing sports, academics, personal development and future career aspirations. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with a strong support system that enables them to grow as athletes and individuals.
Under the Mentorship Programme, athletes would continue to receive coaching in their respective disciplines while also benefiting from the guidance of departmental officers serving as mentors. The initiative is being led by Secretary Anthony Ngullie, IAS, who is also one of the mentors. A total of 11 mentors have been assigned, with each mentor guiding approximately 12 to 13 athletes to ensure meaningful engagement and individual attention.
The programme would begin this month and continue until March 2027.
The mentors would guide athletes in areas such as academic progress, physical and mental well-being, discipline, life skills and career awareness. Through regular interaction, the programme seeks to build stronger relationships between officers and athletes while fostering responsibility and accountability among the mentors. It also aims to create a supportive environment where athletes are encouraged to overcome challenges and realise their full potential.
Naroenla further stated that while sports remain the primary focus of the athletes, it is equally important to prepare them for life beyond sports. With this objective, the department has introduced the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for athletes above 15 years of age.
The programme, which would commence on June 11 and continue until October, aims to provide vocational and entrepreneurial skills that can create opportunities for livelihood and income generation. Each skill module will run for one month, comprising two weeks of expert-led training followed by two weeks of guided self-practice.
Under the programme, athletes would be trained in five vocational skills — mobile repairing, crochet, pickle making and food processing, baking and basic confectionery, and floristry and floral arrangement. These skills have been carefully selected for their practical value, accessibility and potential for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Participants would also have opportunities to interact with successful entrepreneurs and resource persons, while gaining knowledge in financial literacy, marketing, customer relations and small business management, enabling them to transform their skills into sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Through these initiatives, the department reaffirmed its commitment to the holistic development of athletes. The programmes aim to help them excel in sports while equipping them with the skills, confidence and support needed to navigate life beyond the sporting arena. The department expressed confidence that the initiatives would empower athletes and create a lasting positive impact on their lives.
The programme was chaired by Kethosituo Sekhose, NCS, Director of Youth Resources and Sports, while the invocation was pronounced by Veculu Thisa, Girls Warden, IG Academy.
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