NBCC Youth Department to host Sports Festival 2026 in Chümoukedima from March 24–27 with football and volleyball events.
Share
DIMAPUR — The NBCC Sports Festival 2026 will be held from March 24 to 27 at Nagaland Police Complex, Chümoukedima, on the theme “Pray, Play, Proclaim.”
The festival is being organised by the Sports and Scripture Engagement (SSE) Ministry of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Youth Department.
NBCC Youth Secretary Rev. N Suhuto Chishi announced this during a press conference in Chümoukedima on Monday.
He said that the ministry also conducts various training programmes for youth leaders, including SSE training, mentors’ training, sports training and small-group Bible study training.
Recently, the department organised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) D-License football coaching course in collaboration with Nagaland Football Association to promote football at the grassroots.
He said that the upcoming sports festival is the culmination of these initiatives.
Rev. Chishi further informed that the department plans to establish an NBCC sports centre in Kohima, which will feature a futsal turf, a fitness gym with trained coaches, a sports chaplain and access to professional counselling services both offline and online.
The proposed centre will also include a cafeteria and gallery attached to the turf, creating a space where sports activities and worship programmes can be conducted.
Regarding accommodation, he said that participating associations will arrange their own lodging, while churches in Dimapur and Chümoukedima have offered guest houses and community buildings for participants.
Joseph Sumi, an Assistant Commandant in Nagaland Police and one of the convenors, informed that 20 associations under NBCC will participate in the festival.
The competitions will include men’s football and women’s volleyball, with all teams playing in the league stage.
The top team from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, while the final match will be held during the closing ceremony on March 27.
From the ministerial perspective, Toshi Longkumer, Associate Pastor at Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) and one of the convenors, said that the NBCC Youth Department has been conducting the SSE programme for the past four years to equip youth leaders to integrate sports with biblical teachings.
As part of its five-year vision, the festival is expected to bring together around 800 youth participants.
Colo Mero, media in-charge of the festival, said that traditional forms of ministry are becoming increasingly challenging as many young people are losing interest in regular youth fellowships, Bible studies and prayer meetings. He added that sports ministry has emerged as an effective way to connect with young people, particularly those who do not usually attend church.
The matches will be played across four grounds within the Nagaland Police Complex, Chümoukedima.