Niathu Sports Festival 2025 to kick off from October 9

DIMAPUR — The 8th edition of the Niathu Sports Festival 2025 is set to take place from October 9 to the 11th, featuring sporting events across three venues — Zone Niathu by The Park, Chümoukedima (for badminton, futsal, volleyball, wrestling, marathon, and mixed martial arts); The Gym House, 4th Mile (for pickleball); and Noune Resort (for basketball 3x3).

Announcing the details during a press conference held at Zone Niathu by The Park, Chümoukedima, on Tuesday, the advisor of the festival, Watinunksung Jamir, stated that the total prize money for the event amounts to INR 10.5 lakh.

He informed that the Niathu Sports Festival, organised by the Niathu Group as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aims to promote sports and give back to society. He also informed that registration for participants will remain open till October 8, 3:00 pm.

The District Sports Officer of Chümoukedima, Wutsutho, said that the festival will feature eight disciplines — badminton, basketball, futsal, pickleball, Naga wrestling, marathon, volleyball, and mixed martial arts.

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In badminton, events will be held in three categories — Under-15 and Under-17 for both men’s and women’s doubles, and Under-85+ for men’s doubles.

There will be no singles category. The total prize money for badminton is INR 1.6 lakh, and matches will be played over the three days.

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In basketball (3x3), there will be men’s and women’s categories with a total prize of INR 1 lakh. Matches will be played on October 9 and 10. Futsal will follow a seven-a-side format with a total prize pool of INR 1 lakh, to be played from October 9 to 11.

For pickleball, three categories — men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles (50+) — will compete for a total prize of INR 1.35 lakh, scheduled for October 10 and 11. Volleyball will feature both men’s and women’s categories with a combined prize of INR 2 lakh, taking place from October 9 to the 11th.

The marathon will be held on October 10, starting from Noune Resort at 6 am and concluding at Zone Niathu. Around 30% of the participants are expected to come from outside Nagaland, including Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya. The top five winners in both men’s and women’s categories will receive INR 30,000, INR 25,000, INR 20,000, INR 15,000, and INR 10,000 respectively.

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Khriemelie Metha, member of the festival organising committee, mentioned that the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) “Tribe-2” event will be held on October 10 from 6:00 pm onwards. The event will feature eight bouts — five professional and three amateur — with athletes participating from across the Northeast as well as Punjab, Hyderabad, and Telangana. Tickets are available online at fightnightchampions.in.

Neivikuolie Khatsu, coordinator of the Niathu Sports Festival, stated that 41 wrestlers have registered so far. The event will be organised under the aegis of the Nagaland Wrestling Association, in collaboration with the Niathu Sports Board, and officiated by the Nagaland Wrestling Referee Board.

There will be an open category and a below 80 kg category, with weigh-in scheduled at 8 am on October 9 for the below 80 kg category. Registration will remain open until 8 am on the same day. Several prominent Naga wrestlers are expected to participate.