Over 700 compete at CEDOK inter-school athletic meet

DIMAPUR — The Commission for Education, Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK), organised the All Nagaland Catholic Schools Inter-School Athletic Meet and CEDOK Teachers Award on October 10 at St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima.

According to an update, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, bishop of Kohima, attended as the special guest for the inaugural ceremony, while Dr. Johnny Ruangmei, joint executive officer, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), and Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, principal director of school education, Nagaland, attended the closing ceremony-cum-Teachers Award function as special guest and guest of honour, respectively, along with other dignitaries.

Over 700 students under four categories—junior and senior, boys and girls—from 33 Catholic schools across Nagaland participated in the meet. The athletes competed in various track and field events, including 100-metre, 200-metre, and 400-metre races; 400-metre relay; sack race; obstacle race; long jump; high jump; shot put; arm wrestling; and the open bamboo climbing event.

Rev. Dr. Thoppil, in his address, encouraged the participants to pursue excellence with discipline, unity, and faith alongside their academic pursuits before declaring the meet open.

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The track and field events were conducted simultaneously across various locations on the campus. The bamboo climbing event saw 26 teams competing to reach the top. Officials from Dimapur Athletics, Naga Arm Benders, postgraduate students of NEISSR, and several fathers and sisters assisted in officiating the events.

At the valedictory function held in the evening, guest of honour Shashank Pratap Singh appreciated CEDOK for fostering holistic education by organising such events and encouraged students to make the best use of opportunities to excel in life.

Special guest Dr. Johnny Ruangmei urged young athletes to participate more actively in sports to nurture a disciplined life and sound mind. He also called upon them to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and healthy competition that define Catholic schools, acknowledging all participants for their perseverance and teamwork.

The CEDOK Teachers Award 2025, comprising a certificate, memento, and cash award, was presented by the guest of honour to six teachers in recognition of their commitment and excellence in education:

Sarita Gurung, St. John Higher Secondary School, Tuensang

Adole Rhetso, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Viswema

Ethel, Holy Child School, Burma Camp

Temjenyangla, Assisi Higher Secondary School, Khermahal

Khriezomenuo, St. Andrew School, Jotsoma

Asosü Dominic Pfokreni, St. Mary Cathedral Higher Secondary School, Kohima

On behalf of the awardees, Khriezomenuo expressed gratitude to CEDOK for the recognition and acknowledged students as key to a teacher’s journey towards excellence. She reminded teachers of their role in shaping the future of society and encouraged them to teach with heart rather than mind.