Christ King Higher Secondary School, Kohima, has begun its two-day Umberto Marocchino Memorial Tournament, celebrating sportsmanship, unity, and the legacy of a pioneering missionary of Nagaland’s Catholic community.
The sporting event is held in honour of Fr Umberto Marocchino, remembered as one of the first Catholic missionaries in Kohima. Rector and parish priest of Christ the King Church, Fr C M Joseph, recalled how the Italian priest baptised the first Catholics in Nagaland and laid the foundations of the Church’s presence in the state.
“This tournament is not only about sport, but also about remembering a man whose missionary zeal bore fruit in Kohima and whose legacy continues to inspire,” Fr Joseph said.
Special guest and Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) president, Mhasimhalie Mathew, urged students to embrace discipline, teamwork and perseverance in his address.
Mathew described the tournament as an opportunity for students to “run, jump, play and have fun,” stressing that sports not only build physical strength but also teach discipline, teamwork and fairness.
Highlighting the school’s practice of holding two annual sporting events, he said it was a privilege for the children and reminded them that the memorial tournament serves as an important platform to promote sportsmanship and healthy competition.
He urged them to maintain discipline both on and off the field, to respect parents, elders, teachers and school staff, and to recognise that each child is gifted differently by God. “The challenge is to identify your talent and master it, whether in sport, music or academics,” he said, adding that sports should not be treated merely as a hobby but pursued with sincerity and dedication.
Mathew also encouraged students to put God first in all their efforts, quoting the biblical teaching that all things can be achieved through Christ. He concluded by stressing that sports foster unity and expressed hope that the best teams would win the games at the ongoing tournament.
The memorial tournament featured football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tug-of-war, tunnel ball, and even a mathematics quiz, engaging students across disciplines.
The inaugural ceremony began with a prayer by vice-principal Sr Therese Rothangpuii, followed by a choral performance from the school choir, a choreography piece by the CKHSS Dance Club, and concluded with a vote of thanks from teacher Thejalhoukhonuo. The programme was chaired by teacher T Zuchobeni Ezung.