Mokokchung, 29th January, 2026 (www.nokinketer.in): Ungma Village (Mokokchung district) witnessed the commencement of the 1st Edition of the Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 (Under-17) on January 29, 2026, at Senayangba Memorial Ground, Ungma Village. The three-day festival is being organised by Sports Society Soyim with the objective of scouting, nurturing, and developing young sporting talents from the village.

The festival will be conducted across multiple venues, including Senayangba Memorial Ground, Kordang Futsal Ground, and Yimtsüngda Arok Sabang, and will feature competitions in Volleyball, Futsal, Athletics, Badminton, Table Tennis, and Darts.

The inaugural function was graced by Mr. Imtiyapang, Councillor, Mokokchung Municipal Council, as the special guest. In his address, Mr. Imtiyapang highlighted the importance of perseverance and discipline in sports, urging young athletes to take sporting careers seriously. He cited Kohima Village as a model, noting how its long-standing sports culture has produced numerous state-level sportspersons across disciplines. He further emphasized that sports today stands as one of the largest employment-generating sectors, encouraging youths to leverage opportunities through dedication and commitment.

The programme also featured an exhortation by Mr. Sutsungkaba Longkumer Tatar, Chairman, Ungma Village Council, who reaffirmed the Council’s continuous support to Sports Society Soyim and lauded the initiative for creating a structured platform for youth development through sports.

The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Toshiwapang Imsong, while Mr. T. Chuba Jamir, Associate Pastor, Ungma Baptist Arogo, offered the invocation prayer. A special musical presentation was rendered by Mr. Temjensosang Longkumer, adding to the ceremonial significance of the event.

The festival will see 10 clubs from Ungma Village competing across various categories, with over 250 participants taking part in the festival. As part of the initiative’s long-term vision, a selection board has also been constituted to identify promising players from different disciplines. Selected athletes will receive further guidance and undergo intensive training under Sports Society Soyim.

The Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroots sports development and fostering a sustainable sporting culture within the community.

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