Ungma Village witnessed an energetic continuation of the 1st Edition of the Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 as Day 2 of the festival kicked off at Kordang Futsal Ground. The day’s proceedings were graced by Bendangnukshi, Vice President (Technical), Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA), as the Guest of Honour.
Addressing the gathering, Bendangnukshi lauded the initiative taken by Sports Society Soyim (SSS) in creating a platform to nurture young talent at the grassroots level. He appreciated the consistent contributions of SSS as an affiliated club under MDFA and acknowledged its role in strengthening football and sports development in the district. Competitive futsal fixtures marked the day, drawing enthusiastic participation and support from players, officials, and spectators alike.
Meanwhile, sporting action continued at Yimtsüngda Arok Sabang, where the badminton tournament progressed with keenly contested matches, further highlighting the depth of young talent participating in the festival.
The third day of the festival saw the inauguration of table tennis events, adding another dimension to the multi-sport initiative. In addition, a darts workshop was conducted by the Nagaland Darts Association, offering participants valuable technical insights and exposure to a sport that is gradually gaining popularity among the youth.
The festival concluded on a high note on the final evening, with I. Tali Longkumer, Councillor, Mokokchung Municipal Council, gracing the closing programme. In his address, Longkumer emphasised the importance of establishing a designated indoor stadium in the district to ensure uninterrupted training and regular practice for aspiring athletes, especially during adverse weather conditions. He commended the organisers for their vision and commitment to youth development through sports.
The inaugural edition of the Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 showcased strong promise in uplifting young sporting talent. Sports Society Soyim reaffirmed its commitment to guiding the younger generation towards greater sporting opportunities. Selection boards constituted for each discipline identified potential athletes for structured coaching and future guidance, with the long-term goal of instituting regular training programmes and sustained talent development.
The successful conclusion of the festival marked a significant step towards organised grassroots sports promotion in the region and set a positive precedent for future editions.
