Nagaland University, Kohima Campus observed National Sports Day, which falls on August 27 every year, with great enthusiasm at the University Football Ground, bringing together students, teaching, and non-teaching staff in a vibrant display of sportsmanship and unity on August 28.

The programme was chaired by Dr Mesangutuo Meru, Assistant Director of Sports. Toka Lohe, Games & Sports Secretary of NUSU-K, delivered the welcome address, followed by a special song performed by Bilila Sangtam from the Department of Psychology. Dr Ditalak Mpanme, President of NUTA-K, addressed the gathering and officially kicked off the sports events, marking the beginning of a series of competitive matches.

In football, the Senior Team emerged victorious over the Junior Team. In basketball, the non-teaching staff defeated the teaching staff, the Women’s Senior Team defeated the Junior Team, and the Men’s Junior Team triumphed over the Senior Team. In volleyball, the Women’s Junior Team defeated the Senior Team, the staff team defeated the students, and the Men’s Senior Team emerged victorious over the Junior Team.

A day earlier on August 27 at the School of Agricultural Sciences, NU, Medziphema Campus, the National Sports Day celebration was graced by Prof Dipak Sinha, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Medziphema Campus, NU, as the Chief Guest. The event was chaired by Er Merijan Tsopoe, Junior Engineer (Civil), and the welcome address was delivered by Talisosang Amri, Farm Manager, LPM.

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In his address, the Chief Guest, Prof Dipak Sinha highlighted the importance of sports and emphasised the changing role of sports in higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP), noting that sports should no longer be viewed merely as an extracurricular activity, but recognised as an active and integral component of the curricular and holistic educational experience of students.

The formal programme also included a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Akato Chishi, STA and Vice-President, NUNTSA, Medziphema Campus.

The sports events featured volleyball and football, with enthusiastic participation from the university community. In volleyball, the students, Junior Girls Team (UG), and Senior Men’s Team emerged victorious in their respective events. In football, the Senior Men’s Team emerged victorious over the Junior Men’s Team.

The National Sports Day celebrations combined the formal recognition of the importance of sports with active participation from staff and students. The events across both campuses were coordinated by the Sports Section (Kohima Campus), headed by Dr Mesangutuo Meru, Assistant Director of Sports, with the objective of recognising the importance of sports and physical fitness and encouraging faculty and students to actively participate in sporting activities.