”Every time I step on court, I cherish each moment for any day it can be my last”- profound words from Salew Kadete, a passionate , well disciplined and driven Basket player from Kohima who have stepped up to be an exceptional player and a certified coach and continues to inspire the youths with his love for the game and his dedication towards it. Northeast has come up with spectacular sportsperson and dynamic athletes over the years. The youth of Nagaland took a liking with wide interest in the field of Basketball. An international sport taking its place in the hearts of the people here and bringing up spirited players together over the years . As a vivid spectator myself , the galleries and the courts are packed with people supporting and cheering for their own players and teams during various tournaments. Here we have the story of Salew Kadete, a certified coach from Kohima who has made its mark among the hoopers in Nagaland as an inspiration, an excellent player in the court and an exceptional leader who took up a career on a path less taken and paved the way for many more beginners.
THE TICKET TO HIS CALLING
SK recalls his beginnings and the choices he had to take and to drop to make a career out of this sport- Basketball. At a point where he had to give his entrance exams as well as attend the Summer Basketball Camp in Guwahati, he chose the latter. With this one loss came more opportunities for him as the camp he attended under Ma’am Prasana opened the door for him to receive a full scholarship under sports quota for MBA in sports management in the Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science , Chennai. He was the first of its kind to receive the full scholarship from Nagaland, after which followed others to avail the opportunity as well, which was not known earlier to most people here.
2018 to 2021 has been the gateway to his career – Winning his first MVP in Kohima Quakers 2014 made him decide to focus on this sport more than just a hobby, he went on representing Assam in the 68th Senior Nationals in 2018 .To be selected in the all India selection for sports coaching at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NS NIS ) Patiala, gave him a breakthrough to reach a higher level ,He participated in Senior National Basketball (NE-ZONAL), As a captain he led the Kohima team to victory in the 2022 Nagaland Olympic and secured silver in the NE Olympic held in Shillong. Also winning various championships and MVP’s with his team Taurus in Nagaland, after which he also formed an Athletic Basketball Coaching here in Northfield court, Kohima in April 2022 as a venture to train and guide young ballers the basics of basketball and to improve their skills and knowledge on the sport . Although SK started participating in tournaments from 2009, he was a bench warmer for some years, so he encourages the youths and athletes in Nagaland to be patient and work on their craft ; to trust the process.
According to him, the essentials for a quality coach is to have the knowledge of the game, to have good communication skills with his players, providing mentorship and to be well- disciplined and dedicated towards his sport.
The commencement of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) has been a great start to promote athletes and also to provide job opportunities under this field. Although we are lacking behind in many way, there’s always a hope of change and progress in our community. In his opinion, the Government can support athletes and sports in Nagaland by providing grassroots level coaching, exposure and a platform for male and female athletes, better infrastructure, more inter-school, inter-district competitions and a need for certified referees and job opportunities.
Being disciplined and consistent has been one of the greatest challenges faced by the athletes , SK urges the young athletes to step out of their comfort zone , to begin from the bottom and take each step towards greatness and fight through the obstacles, to be diligent and work hard , to pray and to have faith ,to even be called out different in the crowd but by being dedicated and to possess strong work ethics . There’s a wide scope in sports as an athlete, coach and sports scientist and the management under this field, it is upon us to break barriers and the stigma around it by being true to our calling and indulging the habits of being discipline and dedicated towards our goal.
On the last note, SK is grateful to God, his beloved family who never gave up on him,his coaches, his team Taurus , and a heartfelt appreciation to Lt. Neivizolie Chielie who always supported and prayed for their team. It is undoubtedly the love and faith that helped him through all his trails and dark days .
