As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Nepali Baptist Church Kohima, a friendly football match was played between NBCK and Union Baptist Church Kohima at the IG Stadium on December 18.
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 18 (MExN): As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Nepali Baptist Church Kohima (NBCK), a friendly football match (35+) was played between NBCK and Union Baptist Church (UBC) Kohima at the IG Stadium on Thursday.
The match was organised by NBCK as part of its year-long activities commemorating 50 years of service in Christ, culminating in August 2026. Established in 1976, NBCK is the oldest Gorkhali church in Nagaland, while UBC Kohima is its mother church.
The event brought together leaders and members of both churches in a spirit of fellowship, sportsmanship and thanksgiving. Prior to the match, NBCK Pastor Jack Thapa led the opening prayer, while UBC Pastor Visato Yhoshü delivered an exhortation highlighting unity, Christian fellowship and the role of sports in strengthening bonds among believers.
Chairman of the NBCK Board of Deacons and Convenor of the Golden Jubilee Organising Committee, Dr Gopal Basnet, delivered the welcome address. A special number was presented by the Fathers’ Group of UBC, while former UBC chairman Sekietuozo Haralu also spoke on the occasion.
The friendly match, played in a cordial and festive atmosphere, ended in a 2–2 draw. Special presentations were made by Delina Gurung and Daniel Basnet during the halftime break.
The valedictory programme was led by John Thakuri, with a special number by the NBCK Youth Department. Best Player awards were presented to Krodi Kennao of UBC Kohima and Benjamin Zou of NBCK Kohima by Narayan Bahadur, Co-Convenor of the Jubilee Organising Committee and Convenor of the Jubilee Sports Committee.
The programme concluded with a mass prayer followed by a commemorative feast. Meanwhile, the NBCK Golden Jubilee Sports Committee expressed appreciation to the Department of Youth Resources and Sports for permitting use of the stadium, and to the Kohima Village Youth Organisation for accommodating the event.
