The Nagaland Pencak Silat team displayed an outstanding performance at the 1st Khelo India Beach Games, clinching a total of 10 medals — 4 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze and emerged as the team champions in the female category and 2nd runner-up in the male category.
Organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, the six-day mega event saw participation of 1350 athletes from 29 States and 7 Union Territories. The Pencak Silat events were conducted by the Indian Pencak Silat Federation.
The Khelo India initiative aims to promote a strong sports culture at the grassroots level by encouraging mass participation, identifying talent and providing structured training and support to young athletes. Through platforms like the Khelo India Beach Games, the Government is fostering diverse sporting disciplines, offering exposure, financial assistance and career pathways to athletes across the country. Inclusion of traditional and martial arts like Pencak Silat in the Khelo India Games reflects the commitment to holistic sports development.
Medal Winners (Tanding – Sparring Event)
Gold Medallists: Jon, Kevin, Liike Kibami and Nyia K. Thono.
Silver Medalist: Hatneinem Khongsai
Bronze Medalist: Avikali V. Sheqi
Artistic Event – Female
Silver Medal (Regu – Group Event): Hinokali, Dausanliu Rentta and Avikali V. Sheqi.
Bronze Medal (Tunggal – Solo): Edwina Lhinghoithem Hanghal.
Artistic Event – Male
Bronze Medal (Regu – Group Event): Jon, Kevin and Altab Uddin Choudhury.
Bronze Medal (Creative Solo): Kevin.
The Nagaland Pencak Silat Team was guided by president and team manager Khevishe Sema, Head Coach Deep Kumar and Female Coach Alice D. Chishi whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in this success. The Nagaland Pencak Silat Association extended heartfelt gratitude to the Sports Authority of India for including Pencak Silat in the Khelo India Beach Games. Special thanks are also extended to the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland — Director Kethosituo Sekhose, Additional Director Megolhou Dolie, Assistant Director Nyuvitho Nyuthe and Youth Resources Officer Naroenla — for their continuous support and encouragement to the athletes. This achievement marks a proud moment for Nagaland and highlights the potential of the youth when provided with the right platform and support.
Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw teams accorded welcome
The medal winners in the Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw disciplines in the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games 2025, in Diu were accorded warm welcome by various organisations and well-wishers at Dimapur Airport on Sunday.
A total of 33 athletes from Nagaland competed in two major disciplines, Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw in the Khelo India Games and delivered an outstanding performance, winning a total of 13 medals, including five gold, three silver, and five bronze and securing third positions in the Khelo India Beach Games 2025, out of 30 states and 7 union Territories.
Altogether, Nagaland secured five gold medals, which includes four in Pencak Silat, and one in Sepaktakraw, while three silver medals which includes two in Pencak Silat and one in Sepaktakraw.
Nagaland also won five bronze medals, out of which four were from Pencak Silat, and one in Sepaktakraw.
Director Youth Resource and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose mentioned that in both Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw event, the women’s team was the champion, while the men’s team secured the second runners-up in the Pencak Silat event.
He also thanked the chief minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, for supporting the sports and sporting fraternity in the state, particularly the youth and also acknowledged the MLA & Advisor of Youth Resources & Sports Nagaland, Keoshu Yimkhiung, who has been a beacon of hope for each one of them.
While interacting with media persons, the head coach Deep Kumar of Pencak Silat Nagaland, said that by the grace of God, they were able to achieve success in the event and stated that Nagaland Pencak Silat athletes has defeated event the international medallist which was a very big achievement for them and attributed the success to God for answering their prayers.
Kumar informed that four athletes namely Hinokali (female), Nyia K Thono (female), Kitenlo K. Thono (Male) and Aboi (Male) from Nagaland have been selected to represent India in the 9th Asian Pencak Silat Championship will be held in Vietnam from July 23 to 31, 2025.
The head coach also informed that there were no major challenges during the event as everything were organised and sponsored by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Kumar said that Pencak Silat is the fastest growing martial art in the world and the best thing according to him is there is no head punched and kick which is very safe and said there are also lot of job opportunities in this field and even the medal winners received cash award and scholarship.
(Staff Reporter)