The last Naga Olympian was legendry Dr. T. Ao in 1948. Dr. T. Ao captained the Indian football team and the entire team played barefooted. Significantly London which will be hosting the 2012 Olympics will be doing so after a gap of 64 years.

Chekrovolu Swuro, a Naga international archer is currently part of the Indian Women Archery team which has qualified for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The Indian Women Team won a silver medal at the ongoing Archery World Championships 2011 at Turin Italy recently. Chekrovolu Swuro’s laudable achievements in that competition sealed a berth for the India Women Team at the Olympic Games. However there is uncertainty whether she will be able to make it in the final list of the India Women Team as the names on this list will only be declared before the 2012 London Olympic Games.

According to International sports rules and regulations, being a member of a team event in a qualifying tournament does not guarantee a berth in the final list and changes do take place when the final names are announced.

The same case happened in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games when Chekrovolu Swuro, part of the Indian Women Archery Team, in the 2003 qualifying tournament was not figured in the final list of the Indian Women Team that took part in the team competition at the 2004 Athens Games.

If Chekrovolu Swuro makes it to the final list, than she would be the second Naga sports person after legendary Dr. T. Ao to represent India at the Olympics.

Talking to Eastern Panorama, Nagaland Olympics Association (NOA) Secretary and Press Secretary to Chief Minister Abu Metha said that the NOA President and State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were elated to hear the news of Chekrovolu Swuro winning a medal at the Archery World Championships .

 

According to International sports rules and regulations, being a member of a team event in a qualifying tournament does not guarantee a berth in the final list and changes do take place when the final names are announced.

Last month, Chekrovolu who did India proud as a member of the three women squad that won a silver medal, at Turin, Italy, in the recurve event of the Women’s World Championships; presented her medal to Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, President, Nagaland Olympic Association. The befitting obeisance presentation was witnessed by Kiyaneilie Peseyie, Speaker Nagaland Legislative Assembly and other officials, at the Chief Minister’s residential office.

The Chief Minister expressed his genuine happiness about Chekrovolu’s achievement and said, “It is like the parents getting repaid by children with results and achievements.” He said this when Chekrovolu expressed her deep gratitude to the Chief Minister for all the support given to her.

The Chief Minister keenly enquired about professional problems and facilities and assured to explore avenues for improvements and for setting up facilities. He disclosed his intention to meet and discuss programmes with Vijay Malhotra, President of the Archery Federation of India, during his visit to Delhi.

Last month Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced a cash award of `3 lakhs to archer Chekrovolu Swuro. However this was enhanced from `3 lakhs to `5 lakhs, informed Abu Metha, secretary NOA

Rio congratulated the Indian Women’s Archery Team, of which Swuro is also a member, which won the silver medal at the World Championships. Rio, also the President of the Nagaland Olympic Association, especially congratulated Chekrovolu Swuro, winning the silver medal and enabling the Indian team to qualify for the forthcoming London Olympic Games in 2012.

Xavier Rutsa