The 1st edition of the Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 (Under-17) commenced on January 29 at Senayangba Memorial Ground, Ungma village, with 10 clubs and over 250 participants taking part in the three-day event. The sport festival is being organized by the Sports Society Soyim (SSS), and it aims to identify and develop young sporting talent from within the village through structured competition and training.

Competitions are being held across multiple venues, including Senayangba Memorial Ground, Koridang Futsal Ground, and Yimtsüngda Arok Sabang, which features disciplines such as Volleyball, Futsal, Athletics, Badminton, Table Tennis, and Darts. As part of the initiative, a selection board has been constituted to identify promising players, who will later receive guidance and intensive training under Sports Society Soyim.

The inaugural programme was attended by Mokokchung Municipal Council Councillor Imtiyapang as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, he stressed the importance of discipline and perseverance in sports and encouraged young athletes to pursue sporting careers with seriousness. He cited Kohima Village as an example of sustained sports culture producing state-level sportspersons and noted that sports has emerged as a significant employment-generating sector.

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Ungma Village Council Chairman Sutsungkaba Longkumer Tatar, in his exhortation, assured continued support to Sports Society Soyim and acknowledged the festival as a platform for structured youth engagement through sports. The welcome address was delivered by Toshiwapang Imsong, while the invocation prayer was offered by T Chuba Jamir, Associate Pastor of Ungma Baptist Arogo. The programme also included a musical presentation by Temjensosang Longkumer.

The Ungma Youth Sports Festival 2026 is being held with the objective of strengthening grassroots sports development within the village by providing consistent exposure and opportunities for young athletes.