State felicitation programme to honour the achievement of Mr. Kekhriesilie Rio, was held at the Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports (YRS), Kohima on 23rd February 2021. He is the first equestrian from Nagaland and the first Indian to rank ranked No. 2 in the World and No. 1 in Asia of FEI (Federation Equestrian International).
Mr. Alun Hansing, Commissioner & Secretary, YRS, on his welcome address, highlighted the achievements of Mr. Kekhriesilie Rio, said that he has been ranked No. 2 by the International Equestrian Federation and the first Indian to achieve the highest rank till date.
Advisor, YRS, Er. Zale Neikha while congratulating Kekhriesilie Rio for winning in various categories encouraged him to work harder and to bring more laurels to the State and nation. He mentioned that there are only two Olympians in Nagaland so far - Dr. T. Ao and Chekhrovolü, and encouraged the young achiever to aim to participate in the Olympics.
Advisor, Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio who is also the President of the Equestrian Association Nagaland and father of Kekhriesilie Rio, hopes that the achievement of Kekhriesilie Rio will help in promotion of Equestrian activities in the State. He said that Nagas have the potential in the field of sports but do not get the right platform and appreciation, and even at the national level also, young Naga athletes and sportspersons are not getting much support, and to this, he wishes that in the future, there will be more sponsors for promotion.
Mr. Kekhriesilie Rio stated that being the lone Equestrian in the State, it motivates him to strive to work harder. He looks forward to motivate more youth in this discipline, and to bring more laurels to the State and nation. He attributed his success to God, his family, Equestrian Society Nagaland, the State Government and the Department of YRS. Mentioning that he will be participating in the Asian Games 2022 trail, which will be held in Germany, he looks forward to make a mark in the future as well.
Some of the major events he had Achieved at National level:
1. 3rd position in the 45km national endurance competition held in Dibrugarh 2015.
2. 1st position in the Junior National Equestrian championship show jumping, Kolkata 2018.
3. Awarded "India's Best rider award 2018" in the Junior category in whole India.
4. 2nd position in the Asian equestrian federation junior/young world jumping challenge Bangalore,2019.
5. 1st position - FEI World show jumping Challenge 2020, Category A In India on Claudette at Bangaluru.
6. National Equestrian Championship (Senior), Delhi 2021 and secured the place position in Pussiance Jumping.