13th Zunheboto inter-departmental sports tournament begins

Morung Express NewsZunheboto | September 17The 13th edition of the Inter-Departmental Sports Tournament of Zunheboto district was inaugurated on September 17 at the Indoor Badminton Stadium, with K Tokugha Sukhalu, IAS (Retd), MLA and Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, and Chairman of Urban Local Bodies & Village Council Committee, as the special guest.Organised by the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), Zunheboto, the three-day tournament, scheduled from September 17 to 19, aims to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie and a healthy sporting culture among government employees and departments.The inaugural programme was chaired by Tourist Officer, Zunheboto, Lentina Longkumer. It began with an invocation by Pastor, SBCZ, Ghunato Assumi, followed by a welcome address by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Shaying Sheu. A special number was presented by Sakupu K Awomi.Addressing the gathering, Sukhalu spoke about the importance of sports in nurturing discipline, confidence, teamwork and positive values among the younger generation. He also stressed the need to encourage young people to stay away from social evils and channel their energy and talents towards constructive pursuits.Sukhalu said the people of Zunheboto had placed their trust in him by electing him as their representative and that the trust carried a responsibility to work for the betterment and progress of the district.He called upon all sections of society, particularly government departments and officials, to extend their cooperation and work collectively towards making Zunheboto a better place and taking the district forward.He further emphasised that development could be achieved more effectively through collective effort, mutual cooperation and a shared commitment towards the welfare of the people.The oath was administered by District Sports Officer, Zunheboto, Anguvito Sumi, following which Sukhalu formally declared the tournament open.The tournament comes in the wake of notable performances by players of the Zunheboto District Badminton Association (ZDBA) at the recently concluded 48th Inter-District and State Badminton Championship 2026 held at Mokokchung.At the championship, ZDBA players secured several positions. In the champions category, Likupu and Linokivi won the U-13 Girls’ Doubles, while Liviya and Alo emerged winners in the U-15 Girls’ Doubles. Liviya also won the U-15 Girls’ Singles, while Hivi and Titoka secured the U-17 Boys’ Doubles title.In the runners-up category, Mughakivi finished second in both the U-15 Boys’ Singles and U-19 Boys’ Singles. Nibovi reached the semi-finals of the U-13 Boys’ Singles, while David Sema and Kihika G Sumi were semi-finalists in the Veteran Men’s Doubles.The achievements were highlighted during the inaugural programme, with appreciation expressed for the players for bringing laurels to Zunheboto district and the state.