1st Inter-School Volleyball tourney held in Wokha

The opening ceremony of the First Inter-School Volleyball Tournament 2025 was held at the DBHSS Playground in Wokha. The tournament, organised jointly by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland, and the Wokha District Volleyball Association (WDVA), is being conducted under the theme “Serve to Win, Play to Inspire.”
The event was graced by the director of the department of youth resources & sports, Nagaland, Kethosituo Sekhose, as the special guest.
In his address, Sekhose spoke about the crucial role of sports in a well-rounded education. He pointed out that sports contribute significantly to physical development, discipline, and character formation. He stressed the importance of providing platforms for all, including persons with special needs, to showcase their talents.
He described the tournament as a pilot initiative under the department’s broader vision to promote professionalism, long-term participation, and healthy competition among young athletes. The decision to start with boys’ teams from ten schools, he mentioned, was guided by the goal of achieving maximum participation at a minimal cost.
If the model proved successful, he said the department would consider implementing it in other districts. He also emphasised that volleyball was especially suited to the youth of Nagaland, noting that while there may be physical limitations, agility and quick reflexes give local players a competitive edge. He encouraged schools and parents to look at sports as more than an extracurricular activity, highlighting its potential to generate employment in areas such as coaching, officiating, event management, and media.
The president of the All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA), Wokha Unit, Edward Ngullie, also spoke during the programme. He appreciated the WDVA for its consistent efforts in bringing together schools across the district. He said the tournament was the outcome of months of groundwork by the association and expressed his appreciation for the director’s support in grassroots-level sports development. On behalf of the district, he made a request for departmental coaches to visit Wokha and provide training to local teachers so that schools could be better equipped to nurture future athletes.
The Youth Resources Officer (YRO), Wokha, Libemo Jami, in his welcome addresss. acknowledged the progress made by WDVA since its inception and credited the emergence of national-level players from the district to the sustained efforts of local associations and community support. As part of the opening ceremony, volleyballs were distributed to all the participating schools. It was announced that the two best-performing teams from the tournament would qualify to play at the Independence Day Cup on August 15.
The tournament saw the participation of ten schools, with 120 players competing. The schools included Isaiah Ability School, Santsuo School, Springdale School, Little Angel School, Libemo Memorial School, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Bethsaida School, Regimental School, Gilgal School, and St. Peter School, Longsa. Match officials for the event are Yamothung Ezung and Chumbemo Tungoe.
The programme was chaired by Zujanbeni Tsanglao, Woman Coordinator of WDVA. The invocation was pronounced by the Principal of DBHSS Wokha, and a special musical performance titled ‘Try Everything’ was presented by Wonjano S. Ngullie of Santsuo School. The oath-taking ceremony was led by Mhonyamo, Finance Secretary of WDVA, followed by the official kick-off by the chief guest. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Lichumi Ngullie, General Secretary of WDVA.