Chümoukedima, November 12 (MExN): The Sepaktakraw competition under the Nagaland State & Para Games (NSPG) 2026 commenced at the Multi Discipline Stadium, Sovima, Chümoukedima, on November 12, with Deputy Commissioner of Chümoukedima, Polan John, declaring the event open.
The opening ceremony was organised by the Nagaland Sepaktakraw Association (NASTA) in collaboration with the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA). Addressing the athletes as the special guest, Polan highlighted Nagaland's growing achievements in Sepaktakraw and said the maximum participation recorded this year reflected the enthusiasm and sporting spirit among the youth.
He also expressed pride over the achievements of Nagaland's women players, who have excelled at state, national and international levels.
Tracing the sport's development in Nagaland, he said Sepaktakraw was introduced in the state in 1994 by Paul Shakhrie, the present state coach. Shakhrie later obtained his National Institute of Sports (NIS) diploma and was appointed the first Sepaktakraw coach under the Youth Resources and Sports Department in 2003.
He further acknowledged the contributions of Nungsang Aier, late R Ketsore Mekro and others towards establishing NASTA, with support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Dimapur, and the Youth Resources and Sports Department.
Encouraging the athletes, Polan identified discipline, resilience and unity as three important pillars of sporting success. He urged them to remain committed to practice, respect their opponents, accept defeat gracefully and approach victories with humility.
He also appreciated the NOA and Youth Resources and Sports Department for providing athletes from different districts and disciplines a platform to showcase their abilities through NSPG 2026.
The programme featured the felicitation of participants of the Asian Games Japan 2026 by NASTA general secretary Holshe Khrieo, followed by greetings from the special guest and an oath-taking ceremony administered by Sepaktakraw coach Hopson Sumi.
