Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio awarded Rs 25 lakh to Asian Para Games medallist Hokato Hotozhe Sema on November 13. The ceremony occurred at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chumoukedima. The event honored winners from the state Para Games and boxing matches. It took place in the Hokato Hotozhe Auditorium under the theme Stronger Together. The Nagaland Olympic Association organized the celebration.
Director General of Police Rupin Sharma proposed giving extra recruitment marks to athletes joining the Nagaland Police. He pushed this idea during the event. He reminded the crowd that athletes serve a purpose far larger than a medal tally. Sharma also noted that the November 7 Para Games included 43 blind and deaf athletes from seven districts. These competitors faced nine events supported by sign language interpreters. He addressed the facilities: "Unfortunately, all dreams don't come true, but this is a dream that we should all cherish."
The state government received SKOCH Silver Awards and a Golden Beaver Award. The Department of Youth Resources and Sports earned recognition for its Grassroots Football Festival. This initiative started in June 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the program in his Mann Ki Baat address. The Golden Beaver Award arrived in October during the 12th India Film Festival of Alberta in Canada. Nagaland is the second winner of this honor in 12 years. Actor Kamal Haasan previously won it.
Rio addressed the state's sporting history. He highlighted Dr. T. Ao, who captained the Indian football team at the 1948 London Olympics. The state waited until 2004 to join the Indian Olympic Association. This delay forced local talent to represent other regions for decades. Around 2,700 athletes and 1,200 officials participated in the Games from November 2 to 14. Rio praised Sema for his resilience after losing a limb in the army. He previously gave the athlete Rs 1.5 crore for his Paris Paralympic bronze.
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