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 I.G. Stadium, Kohima, on Thursday.
The match was organised by NBCK as part of its year-long activities commemorating its Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of service in Christ, to be celebrated in August 2026.
NBCK, established in 1976, is the oldest Gorkhali church in Nagaland, while UBC Kohima is its mother church.
The friendly football match brought together leaders and members of both churches in a spirit of fellowship, sportsmanship and thanksgiving.
Ahead of the match, Pastor of NBCK Jack Thapa led the gathering in prayer, while Pastor of UBC Visato Yhoshü delivered an exhortation highlighting unity, Christian fellowship and the role of sports in strengthening bonds among believers.
Chairman, Board of Deacons, NBCK 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, setting a celebratory tone. Former chairman of UBC Sekietuozo Haralu also spoke on the occasion.
The main attraction of the programme was the friendly football match, played in a cordial and festive atmosphere, which ended in a 2–2 draw. During halftime, special presentations were made by Delina Gurung and Daniel Basnet.
The valedictory programme was led by John Thakuri, with a special number presented by the NBCK Youth Department. The Best Player awards were given to Krodi Kennao (UBC Kohima) and Benjamin Zou (NBCK Kohima). The awards were handed over by Co-Convenor of the Jubilee Organising Committee and Convenor of the Jubilee Sports Committee, Narayan Bahadur.
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 granting permission to use the stadium and to the Kohima Village Youth Organisation for sparing their allotted schedule.
Further, NBCK Kohima is scheduled to share Christmas blessings through the ‘Nepali Carol’ programme as part of the year-long celebrations at Old NST, Main Town, on December 20 from 3 pm onwards.
