The Nagaland State & Para Games 2026 commenced on November 2 and would continue till November 14 across Chümoukedima and Dimapur, with athletes and contingents representing all 17 districts of Nagaland.
As part of the Games, the Pencak Silat competition was held at Immanuel Hall, Dimapur on November 3. The opening ceremony of the Pencak Silat discipline was graced by the Chairman of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), Dr Khekugha Muru as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Muru congratulated the organisers for successfully conducting the Nagaland State & Para Games 2026, and commended the athletes for their participation.
He highlighted the growing popularity of Pencak Silat, stating that the sport, which originated in Southeast Asia, had gained international recognition and was now featured in major sporting events, including the Asian Games. He observed that India was making significant progress in the sport, challenging traditional powerhouses such as Indonesia and Malaysia, and said Nagaland was playing an important role in India’s achievements on the international stage.
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Dr Muru expressed confidence that Pencak Silat had the potential to bring Olympic medals to Nagaland in the future, particularly looking ahead to 2036. He urged the State Government, sports associations and other stakeholders to extend adequate material, logistical and institutional support to the sport to enable local athletes to compete at the highest level.
The programme was chaired by Diana, while the invocation was pronounced by Pastor Kumar Pillai, Global Coach, Life Transformation Coaching. The welcome address was delivered by Khevishe Sema, President of the Nagaland Pencak Silat Association. The vote of thanks was proposed by Kuhoshe Sumi, Treasurer of the Association. The special guest also declared the competition open.
The Games are being organised under the aegis of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), providing a platform for athletes across the state to showcase their sporting skills and promote sporting excellence among the youth.
