The 68th National School Games U-19 girls Sepak Takraw was held at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima on November 25.
The inaugural ceremony of the three day tournament was graced by Advisor to the Chief Minister, vice president of the Athletics Federation of India, and general secretary of Nagaland Olympic Association Abu Metha.
In his speech, Metha highlighted that Nagaland, though small, plays an important role in India’s nation-building efforts, particularly in music and sports.
He stated that Kohima had significantly influenced world history by safeguarding freedom and democracy, expressing pride in the contributions of our forefathers. Metha emphasized that the students competing are already champions, having reached the national level, especially girls as athletes, adds to their achievements.
He acknowledged Sepak Takraw as a challenging sport, but emphasized that teamwork enables them to excel. Metha stated that sports instil discipline and demonstrate that hard work can lead to becoming champions.
He proclaimed that India is emerging as a global sports superpower and encouraged each participant to recognize their potential to become world champions, carrying the belief that they are champions within their hearts.
He further advised the athletes to always respect the game and appreciate the efforts of those behind the scenes, as their hard work enables them to compete.
Meanwhile, Advisor YRS S Keoshu Yimkhiung, in his speech, celebrated the spirit of youth, dedication to excellence, and the limitless potential of the young athletes. He described Sepak Takraw as more than just a game. “It’s an art form that harmoniously blends grace with power, precision with strategy, and individual skill with teamwork.
It demands not only physical agility but also significant mental strength and coordination”. He stated. He emphasized the importance of this event in showcasing young women in sports. He noted the remarkable increase in women’s participation and achievements across various fields, including athletics.
He urged all players to remember that the true spirit of the Games embodies unity, friendship, and mutual respect. He expressed hope that this event would provide an opportunity to forge connections that extend beyond the court, linking athletes from diverse states, cultures, and backgrounds.
Himanshu Shukla, from the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), praised Nagaland for being an excellent host. He expressed his happiness at the presence of all registered teams under their federation. Shukla hopes Nagaland will continue to host more events, noting its successful and positive execution.
He mentioned that a total of 85 students are registered with SGFI, with 84 in attendance. He also expressed hope that more girls will register in the future, leading to increased opportunities for them to participate in sports.
The program was earlier blessed with invocation by Neisakuolie Keseiyie. This tournament is being hosted for the first time in Nagaland by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS) in collaboration with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
Result for the first day
Group A
Manipur beats Delhi 2-0
Rajasthan beats Delhi 2-0
Manipur beats Nagaland 2-0
Nagaland beats Rajasthan 2-0
Group B
Bihar beats Tamil Nadu 2-0
Maharashtra beats Madhya Pradesh 2-1
Maharashtra beats Bihar 2-1
Maharashtra beats Tamil Nadu 2-0
Group C
Odisha beats Vidhya Bharathi 2-0
Gujarat beats Odisha 2-1
Odisha beats Telengana 2-0
Group D
Kerala beats Andhra Pradesh 2-0
Assam beats Jharkhand 2-0
Kerala beats Jharkhand 2-0
Assam beats Punjab 2-0
Kerala beats Assam 2-1