The much-anticipated Inter-District GHSS & GHS Tournament 2025 was officially inaugurated today at Local Ground, Medziphema, under the sponsorship of Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland. The tournament brings together students from Government Higher Secondary Schools (GHSS) and Government High Schools (GHS) across Nagaland to promote sportsmanship, discipline, and healthy competition.
The tournament was inaugurated by Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Advisor for School Education & SCERT, who highlighted the significance of sports in education and character development.
“Sports foster competition, friendship, and personal growth,” he remarked, expressing optimism about expanding the tournament to other parts of the state, possibly in Tuensang next.
Dr. Yhome emphasized sports as a unifying force, urging students to draw inspiration from Olympian Chekrovolu Swüro and Paralympian Hokato Hotozhe Sema, hoping that “from 15-20 years now, some students will excel globally and bring laurels.” He noted that younger generations, despite coming from an agrarian background, engage less in physical work, stressing the importance of regular activity for overall well-being.
He also shared that Nagaland has 32 Khelo India centres, which are being reviewed for better coordination and development. The Department of School Education is also mapping all play areas in the state in collaboration with GIS Remote Sensing, recognizing that almost every village has a volleyball court and local grounds serve as vital community spaces.
Dr. Yhome mentioned the recent visit of Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who appreciated Nagaland’s unique floral arrangements, and highlighted Nagaland’s achievements in school choral competitions, including a World Choral Championship win.
Encouraging students to utilize available opportunities, he assured that the government is working to enhance school sports facilities and identify talented athletes for training academies. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sports development under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also serves as President of the Nagaland Olympic Association.
The inaugural ceremony was chaired by Vitsolie Keyho, Physical Education Officer, who announced that around 500 students from all districts are participating in the three-day tournament, competing in 14 events, including volleyball, self-defense, sepaktakraw, athletics, long jump, javelin, and discus throw.
The event began with an invocation prayer by Lhounyü Dolie, followed by a special performance by GHSS Medziphema. The oath-taking ceremony was led by Competition Director Neilazetuo Khezhie, after which Dr. Yhome officially declared the tournament open.
The tournament will conclude on March 27.