Kohima witnessed a historic sporting moment on September 13, 2025, with the launch of the first-ever Women’s Badminton Tournament at the NLA Stadium. The event was organized under the aegis of the Kohima District Badminton Association (KDBA) in collaboration with Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 and the Department of Women Resource Development, Government of Nagaland.
Speaking at the programme, KDBA President and Secretary of Excise, Kovi Meyase, commended the organizers for their determination in turning the initiative into reality. He acknowledged the challenges of hosting a pioneering tournament and assured the association’s continued support in promoting women’s badminton in the district.
Joint Director of Urban Development and SBM (Urban) Mission Director, Kezhochole Rhetso, shared that the idea of forming a women’s badminton club had been conceived months ago and expressed pride at seeing it come to fruition. Linking the tournament with the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign, she emphasized that the players were not only athletes but also ambassadors of Swachh Bharat, embodying leadership and inspiration.
The initiative is also part of Swachhotsav 2025, observed from September 17 to October 2, which promotes eco-friendly festivals, zero-waste community celebrations, and citizen participation. The tournament, attended by officials, dignitaries, and sports enthusiasts, was hailed as a landmark step uniting sports, women’s empowerment, and civic responsibility.
The programme also featured a welcome address by Kesoweu, an invocation by Neimenuo, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kohima, and concluded with a vote of thanks from Ningdang.
