Adviser Kudecho Khamo ceremonially kicks a ball to declare open the 4th Patkai Trophy 2026 Inter-Institutional Championship at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) on October 8. (JMC Patkai Photo)
Chümoukedima, October 8 (MExN): The 4th Patkai Trophy 2026 Inter-Institutional Championship got underway at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), Chümoukedima-Seithekema, on Thursday with 39 institutions, including three from Assam, participating in the three-day championship.
The championship, which will conclude on October 10, has seen participation increase from 24 institutions in last year’s edition.
At the inaugural programme, PCC (A) Chaplain Rev Dr Vichukho Ngukha invoked blessings for a safe and successful championship, while Principal Thepfuvilie Pierü welcomed the participating institutions.
Kudecho Khamo, MLA and Adviser for Civil Administration Works Division (CAWD), was the special guest. An alumnus of Patkai, Khamo spoke about his association with the institution and said Patkai held a “very special place” in his life, according to a press release issued by the Journalism and Mass Communication department of Patkai Christian College.
Addressing the students, Khamo encouraged them to take their studies seriously while also engaging in social, spiritual and sporting activities. He urged students to identify and develop their individual abilities, observing, “No one is good at everything.”
He said talents, whether in academics, sports, music, leadership, creativity or technology, become “meaningful only when they are developed, disciplined and put to good use.”
Khamo also stressed that academic qualifications alone were not sufficient for success, pointing to the importance of communication skills, creativity, adaptability and willingness to learn and embrace new technologies.
Speaking on sports and competition, he said success required “patience, discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance,” while setbacks and defeats should be treated as opportunities to learn and improve.
“You do not have to become the best person compared to everyone else. You have to become the best version of what you are capable of becoming,” he told the students.
On sportsmanship, Khamo said, “Sports teach us how to win with humility and how to lose with dignity.” He also encouraged participants to compete fairly and remain resilient, stating, “Let defeat be a part of everyone’s journey, but let success be your goal.”
He expressed hope that the Patkai Trophy would inspire students “not only to win medals on the field, but also to achieve greater victories in life with courage, character, excellence, and discipline.”
Ronathung Odyuo, Games & Sports Secretary of the Students’ Union Patkai Christian College (SUPCC), administered the oath-taking ceremony. The championship was subsequently declared open with a ceremonial kick-off by Khamo.
A total of 28 matches were played on the opening day across basketball, volleyball, football and badminton. Tug-of-war events are scheduled to commence later.
The participating institutions from Nagaland include Baptist Theological College, Bethesda Higher Secondary School, C-Edge College, Cornerstone College, Dimapur Government College, Don Bosco College, Eastern Christian College, Fazl Ali College, Government Higher Secondary School Medziphema, GHSS Niuland, Government Polytechnic Seithekema, Greenwood HSS, ICFAI University, Immanuel College, Kohima College, Livingstone International, MGM College, Modern College, Mount Mary College, NIT Nagaland, Peren Government College, Platinum College, PM Shri GHSS Chümoukedima, Pranab College, Salesian College, Salt Christian College, SAS (NU), SD Jain Girls’ College, SFS Medziphema, St John College, St Joseph College, St Joseph University, St Xavier College, Tetso College, Unity College and host institution Patkai Christian College.
The three institutions from Assam are Royal Global University, Don Bosco University and Assam Downtown University.
