Umberto Marocchino Memorial Tournament kicks off at Christ King Higher Secondary School

DIMAPUR — A two-day Umberto Marocchino Memorial Tournament got underway on Thursday at Christ King Higher Secondary School, Kohima.

According to an update, the sporting event is held in honour of Fr. Umberto Marocchino, remembered as one of the first Catholic missionaries in Kohima.

On the occasion, rector and parish priest of Christ the King Church, Fr. CM Joseph, recalled how the Italian priest baptised the first Catholics in Nagaland and laid the foundations of the Church’s presence in the state.

Special guest and Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) President Mhasimhalie Mathew urged students to embrace discipline, teamwork and perseverance in his address.

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Mathew described the tournament as an opportunity for students to “run, jump, play and have fun”, stressing that sports not only build physical strength but also teach discipline, teamwork and fairness.

Highlighting the school’s practice of holding two annual sporting events, he said it was a privilege for the children and reminded them that the memorial tournament serves as an important platform to promote sportsmanship and healthy competition.

He urged them to maintain discipline both on and off the field, to respect parents, elders, teachers and school staff, and to recognise that each child is gifted differently by God.

“The challenge is to identify your talent and master it, whether in sport, music or academics,” he said, adding that sports should not be treated merely as a hobby but pursued with sincerity and dedication.

Mathew also encouraged students to put God first in all their efforts, quoting the biblical teaching that all things can be achieved through Christ. He stressed that sports foster unity and expressed hope that the best teams would win the games at the ongoing tournament.