New Delhi, July 25 -- Friday, the 24th of July, became a milestone in the history of Nagaland sports. To tap grassroots talent, groom them in a controlled environment and provide a perennial stream of sportspersons to national federations, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the government of Nagaland and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the offices of the state Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio.

The objectives behind the MoU are two-fold. First, it will provide proper infrastructure to the 62 residential athletes in boxing, football and sepaktakraw currently at the SAI Training Centre (STC). Second, there are provisions to establish a National Centre of Excellence in a region pregnant with possibilities.

Wit...