Nagaland’s inaugural Inter-Department Table Tennis Tournament brings together 21 government departments in Kohima for two days of competition
KOHIMA — The inaugural Inter-Department Table Tennis Tournament 2026, organised by NIAPA Khelo India Centre, Chümoukedima, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, got underway at the Indoor Stadium, Officer’s Hill, Kohima, on Friday.
The two-day tournament, being held on September 4 and 5, features team and singles events in an open, gender-neutral format aimed at encouraging wider participation among government employees.
The team event follows a league-cum-knockout format comprising two singles and one doubles match, while the singles event is being played on a best-of-five basis.
The team event winner will receive a cash prize of INR 20,000, while the runners-up will receive INR 15,000. The third- and fourth-placed teams will receive INR 10,000 and INR 5,000 respectively.
According to the organisers, 21 government departments are participating in the tournament, with 11 departments fielding some of the state’s top table tennis players.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, NIAPA Managing Director and proprietor of NIAPA Khelo India Centre, Akuonuo Khezhie Yhome, said the tournament was part of the organisation’s efforts to promote sports and empower youth.
She highlighted the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Championship, which has been organised since 2021 and has completed five editions, attracting players from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
Guest of honour Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, MLA of 9th Kohima Town, said the tournament should serve as a bridge for better coordination and cooperation among government departments rather than a battlefield.
He encouraged participants to use the event to build stronger relationships and said this would contribute to better coordination in public service. He also noted that he had distributed around 25 table tennis tables to colonies in his constituency.