The Group E All India Sainik Schools National Games-Football Championship kicked off on Monday at Sainik School Punglwa with a vibrant opening ceremony, marking the start of a four-day sporting extravaganza.
The event brought together five prestigious Sainik Schools from the East Zone – Sainik School Goalpara, Sainik School Imphal, Sainik School Chhingchhip, Sainik School East Siang, and host Sainik School Punglwa – in a spirited celebration of sportsmanship.
The inaugural match saw hosts Sainik School Punglwa (SSPN) face off against Sainik School Chhingchhip (SSC) in a thrilling contest. SSPN emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 win, setting an exciting tone for the tournament.
The championship features matches across U-17 and U-15 categories for boys and U-17 for girls, making it the first leg of the Group E All India Sainik Schools National Games. Over the next few days, students are expected to showcase their skills and determination, with each school vying for top honours.
The ceremony was graced by Principal of Sainik School Punglwa, Col (Dr) Smita Misra, who highlighted the importance of such events in instilling discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition among students. “The Sainik Schools National Games are a celebration of the values of dedication, hard work, and unity that our schools stand for,” she said.
The programme began with a drill display by contingents from the participating schools, followed by an oath-taking ceremony. The championship was then formally declared open by the chief guest.
