The 13th Urra Area Annual Sports Meet begins at Kiyeto village with football and volleyball competitions.
DIMAPUR — The 13th Urra Area Annual Sports Meet of the Urra Area Villages’ Youth Organisation commenced at the Kiyeto village local ground, Chumoukedima, on Tuesday, with Advisor for Information Technology and Communication, Economics and Statistics Evaluation Sethrongkyu Sangtam calling on the youth to refine their natural talents and foster community harmony.
According to an update, the sports meet is being held on the theme "Strength in diversity & sports. Beyond difference, beyond limits.”
In the opening match of the men's football tournament, host Kiyeto Youth Club held defending champions Bade Youth Organisation to a goalless draw, while Tsithrongse defeated Singrijan 2-0 in the second match.
In the men's volleyball tournament, Tsithrongse defeated Diezephe 3-2 in a five-set match, Singrijan edged past Seluophe 3-2, Razaphe Basa registered a 3-1 victory over Bade, and host Kiyeto defeated Sangtamtila 3-1.
Earlier, inaugurating the event as the special guest, Sethrongkyu encouraged the players to nurture their skills to aim for bigger platforms, which he said would ultimately bring laurels to the state of Nagaland.
Referring to the tournament theme, he noted that the youth can set a positive example for the rest of the community in striving for unity and harmony. He observed that sports is not merely about participation or winning but about the spirit of friendship, oneness, and sportsmanship, which helps remove differences between teams.
The advisor further maintained that the state government is actively supporting the youth sector across sports, arts, and music and urged the younger generation to avail themselves of the various schemes provided by the government. He added that the friendship and oneness cultivated during the event should remain a guiding principle for unity even after the tournament concludes.
Delivering the presidential address, Urra Area Villages’ Youth Organisation President Visü Sakhrie thanked the sponsors for their contributions and support, stating that the organisation is creating an environment for the youth to showcase their talents and thrive.
Calling upon the participants to embody the event theme, Sakhrie said, “It is not just about winning, it is about coming together and celebrating unity as one.”
Reflecting on past events, Sakhrie recalled an earlier cultural day programme that failed to generate substantial progress or contribution from most of the federating units. He noted that the experience should serve as a lesson to bring about positive change in preserving and showcasing cultural unity.
Extending greetings, Head GB of Kiyeto Village Benjamin Sema expressed happiness at witnessing the growth and unity of the Urra area, noting that it could serve as a model for community development.
He lauded the Urra Area Parent Body and the youth organisation for guiding the youth. He added that the main objective of the Urra area is to provide a platform for young people to nurture their talents and maintain a spirit of brotherhood and oneness despite differences in culture, tradition, and religion.