DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): Nagaland reaffirmed its dominance in martial arts by emerging as the overall champion at the 8th North East Pencak Silat Championship, held from September 11 to 13 at the Netaji Subhas Regional Coaching Centre (NSRCC), Agartala.
The three-day event, organized by the North East Pencak Silat Federation under the aegis of the Indian Pencak Silat Federation and hosted by the Pencak Silat Association of Tripura, witnessed participation from 460 athletes representing all eight North Eastern states. Competitions spanned across Pre-Teen, Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior categories for both boys and girls.
Nagaland delivered a commanding performance, topping the medal tally with 47 gold, 26 silver and 7 bronze.
This dominant run secured the championship trophy by a wide margin. Assam finished as 1st runners-up, followed by Manipur (2nd runners-up) and Tripura (3rd runners-up).
The championship was graced by eminent dignitaries – Minister of Tribal Welfare, Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture, and Statistics, Government of Tripura, Bikash Debbarma, sports administrator and Chairman/Advisor of the Tripura Olympic Association, Ratan Saha, olympian and Padma Shri awardee, Dr. Dipa Karmakar, who is also the president of the Tripura Olympic Association, and Dronacharya Award-winning gymnastics coach, Bishweshwar Nandi.
Outstanding individual performances were recognized with trophies and cash awards: Best Male Player was bagged by Huiningsumbam Lamnganba (Manipur), Best Female Player by Prerana Hazarika (Assam), Best Official (Male) by Kitenlo K. Thono (Nagaland), Best Official (Female) by Gungun Yadav (Assam).
The closing ceremony featured Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), Tripura, Ippar Manchak Dnyanoba and Panchali Debbarma, member of the NEZCC Board of Governors and renowned cultural ambassador.
President Khevishe Sema and officials of the Nagaland Pencak Silat Association attributed the victory to rigorous training, strong institutional support and the dedication of athletes and coaches. The triumph further cements Nagaland’s reputation as a powerhouse in Pencak Silat within the North East region.
The championship was widely praised for its high standard of competition and organization, with enthusiastic participation from all states and the presence of distinguished guests underscoring the growing prominence of Pencak Silat in the North East.
