(Left to Right) Technical Director of the championship, Joseph; Director of Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose; and Joint Director, Youth Resources and Sports at the press conference announcing the hosting of the 69th NSG 2025 Taekwondo Championship for boys under 14. (Morung Photo)
Second for state to host NSG event
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 27
Nagaland is set to host the 69th National School Games (NSG) 2025 Taekwondo Championship for boys under 14 from October 28 to 30. The championship, supported by the Nagaland state government under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), will feature participation from 35 states and units.
Announcing the event at a press conference on October 27, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources and Sports, said that the response exceeded expectations. In addition to competitors from 35 states, he said that competitors from school boards affiliated to the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). They include the Central Board of School Education, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and others.
Approximately 400 participants, including 310 athletes, will converge for the championship. Officials from across the Northeast region and Manipur will oversee the event. Sekhose said that the state government has also roped in the Nagaland Taekwondo Association to organise the championship.
According to Sekhose, Nagaland has great potential to excel in Taekwondo, even winning Olympic medals. “Our aim is to encourage youth participation in sports and provide a platform for young athletes to excel. We feel that our people have got the potential to excel in this particular sport,” he said.
He added that the potential for international medals was one of the primary reasons the state government accepted the offer to host the NSG 2025 in Taekwondo. Besides establishing a Taekwondo academy by the state government, he said that the Union government has “given us a lot of assistance as far as Taekwondo is concerned” to the state under the Khelo India initiative.
He said that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in particular, has been so supportive while ensuring the allocation of “a lot of budget” for hosting the event.
The championship will be held at the K Kire Badminton Stadium, Nagaland Police Complex Chümoukedima. Sekhose acknowledged the support extended by the Nagaland Director General of Police for providing the playing arena and accommodation facilities for the championship.
According to the Technical Director of the championship, Joseph, the three-day championship will be using the electronic point systems and apply the latest international Taekwondo rules.
It will the second for Nagaland to host a National School Games. The 68th National School Games (U-19 Girls Sepak Takraw) were held in Kohima in November 2024.
