The 7th Mokokchung Inter-School Badminton Championship 2026, organized by the Mokokchung District Badminton Association (MDBA), commenced on April 23 at the MDBA Indoor Badminton Stadium.
A total of 17 schools are participating in the three-day tournament, with 92 boys and 42 girls competing across various age groups and categories. More than 250 matches will be played across two stadia during the championship.
The tournament was formally declared open by Monglier, Pastor, MTBA, while national certified referee Temsuyanger administered the players’ oath.
The championship features inter-school competition categories in Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Open divisions for both boys and girls. The Under-9 category will have singles matches only, while all other divisions will include singles and doubles events. A mixed doubles category is also part of the tournament schedule.
A separate boys’ team championship will be contested through five ties comprising first singles, second singles, first doubles, third singles and second doubles.
Five of the 17 schools participating in the tournament are from outside Mokokchung town.
The annual championship is considered one of the major grassroots sporting events in the district and aims to promote badminton among school students while providing a competitive platform for young talent.
MDBA highlights annual calendar, urges spirit of fair play
Delivering the introductory note, MDBA general secretary Chubawati said the Inter-School Championship remains an important event in the association’s annual calendar.
He informed that the association had already conducted a winter coaching camp in February and would organize a summer coaching camp in July during the summer break. He also announced that the Mokokchung District Open Badminton Championship would be held later this year, after which selected players would represent the district at the Inter-District Badminton Championship.
Addressing participants, he said, “Today is about more than just winning or losing. It is a chance to improve and show your talent.”
He urged players to uphold respect and fair play, while acknowledging infrastructure constraints in the district. He appealed for patience and cooperation in overcoming challenges related to court access and scheduling. “I would like to remind you all that the infrastructure in our district is not good but we have to make the best use of whatever is available to us,” he added.
Chubawati also thanked teachers and parents for their sacrifices and encouraged players to compete wholeheartedly and leave with “good memories and not just medals.”
