The Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang (Asetkong Students Union) 44th Sports Meet and Conference commenced on January 7 at Kobulong Headquarters, Mokokchung, and will conclude on January 9. The three-day event is being held on the theme “Pei Ketmung Ajanga Litetba Shisashir” and has brought together around 600 delegates representing six units: Süngratsü, Mopungchuket, Chami, Kobulong, Longpa and Longjang.
Temsüwangshi Jamir, Assistant Manager (Research & Planning), Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department, graced the opening day as the Chief Sports Patron and formally inaugurated the sports meet. Various sporting disciplines were conducted on the first day, including tug of war for both boys and girls, boys’ football, air rifle shooting for boys and girls, girls’ basketball, and table tennis for both boys and girls.
Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA and Advisor for Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Excise, Government of Nagaland, attended the programme as the inaugural guest in the evening session. Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, along with Moatoshi Longkumer, will grace the conference as chief guests on day 2 while T.N. Mannen, IAS (Retd), MLA and Advisor for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, Government of Nagaland, will attend the closing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Temsüwangshi Jamir said that sports should not be viewed merely as a contest for medals and victories, but as a powerful medium that fosters unity, peace and mutual understanding. He said sports, across cultures and generations, have brought communities together and broken social barriers, citing the Olympic Games as an example where competition and peace coexisted.
He challenged the students to look beyond the idea that winning is everything, and stressed that true sportsmanship lies in integrity, respect for opponents, discipline and teamwork. He said sports teach resilience and the courage to rise after setbacks, qualities that are essential in life beyond the field.
Referring to Nagaland’s sporting legacy, he spoke about Dr. Talimeren Ao, who captained India’s Olympic football team in 1948, and said his life demonstrated how sports can shape responsible citizens and leaders. He further shared the journey of his niece, Lenien Jamir, daughter of Amba Jamir, and said her determination in tennis, despite limited resources, led her to national recognition and an athletic scholarship at Monmouth University in the United States. He said her story reflected how sports, combined with education and self-effort, can create opportunities and self-reliance for youths from Nagaland.
Urging the students to let sports shape their character, Temsüwangshi challenged them to aspire not only for success in competition but also to serve their families, communities and the state with humility and responsibility.
During the programme, he also handed over two cricket balls autographed by Sachin Tendulkar and Jonty Rhodes, which were presented by Wati Imsong. He conveyed a message from Wati Imsong, who served as an assistant coach for the South African Legends (Masters) team during the International Master League T20 in early 2025. In his message, Imsong stated that the signed cricket ball from a South African Masters cricketer was being given as a memento to promote the values of sportsmanship and respect, noting that it was received during his coaching journey in 2025.
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Three accomplished air rifle shooters from the Asetkong region were present during the ongoing Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang. Echenlemla Aier, daughter of Tiayapang Aier from Mopungchuket village, has built an impressive record in competitive shooting, winning five gold medals at pre-state and state-level competitions, two gold medals at the North East level, and one gold medal in the Asmita City League. She further represented the state at the 68th National Shooting Championship held in December 2025 at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Merentsungba Longchar, son of Limasosang Longchar from Süngratsü village, Mokokchung, and currently studying in Dimapur, has been actively competing since 2018. Over the years, he has secured three gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Nagaland State Shooting Championship between 2018 and 2025. At the district level, he won two gold and one silver medal during the 2023–2025 championships, while at the Ladybird School Shooting Championship, he achieved three gold, two silver and one bronze medal between 2018 and 2024. He has also consistently represented Nagaland at the Northeast Zone Shooting Championships in the years – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Yimyakumla Walling from Süngratsü village, daughter of Noktsunger and Saeyyai, is a student of St. Paul Higher Secondary School, Dimapur and is set to appear for her Class 10 examinations this year. Despite her young age, she has already won medals at the Northeast level, including one silver and three bronze medals. She has participated in national-level competitions and qualified under the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). At the national championships, she secured the 373rd rank at the 66th National Shooting Championship and the 399th rank at the 67th edition, while the rankings for the 68th National Championship are yet to be declared.
Meyisanger Lemtur, Vice President of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), delivered a brief exhortation.
The sports meet is being conducted under the supervision of licensed judges, umpires, and referees from various disciplines. This year’s event features Air Rifle Shooting as a new addition, overseen by S. Merang Jamir, ISSF Judge and Coach and Governing Body Member of the National Rifle Association of India, along with Chubatoshi from Lady Bird Shooting Academy and other experts.
