1st inter-department table tennis tournament concludes in Kohima

Winners of the 1st Inter-Department Table Tennis Tournament 2026 pose with Advisor S Keoshu Yimkhiung and officials during the closing ceremony at Indoor Stadium, Kohima, on September 5. (Morung Photo)

Our CorrespondentKohima | September 5

The two-day 1st Inter-Department Table Tennis Tournament 2026 concluded at the Indoor Stadium here on Saturday, with Alberto L R Rauta winning the singles title and Nagaland PWD (Engineer-in-Chief) lifting the team championship.

The inaugural edition was organised by the NIAPA Khelo India Centre, Chümoukedima, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports (DYRS), Nagaland, drawing participation from 21 government departments.

In the singles category, Alberto L R Rauta from the Office of the Accountant General (AG) emerged champion, taking home a cash prize of Rs 8,000. Seyievilie Seyie finished runner-up to receive Rs 5,000, while Ihubuing Haikube secured third place with Rs 3,000. Mhasivi Miachieo finished in fourth position.

The team event saw Nagaland PWD (Engineer-in-Chief)—represented by Raju Chettri, Vesehu Thingo, Yangro Imchen, and Anung Walling—clinch the title alongside a cash reward of Rs 20,000. The Office of the Accountant General, represented by Alberto L R Rauta, Kezhaletuo Meze, and Vizobielie, finished second, receiving Rs 15,000. The Department of Youth Resources & Sports took third place with Rs 10,000, while the Directorate of Geology & Mining finished fourth, securing Rs 5,000.

Addressing the closing ceremony as the Guest of Honour, Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports S. Keoshu Yimkhiung lauded the event as an impactful platform for civil servants to remain active, build inter-departmental camaraderie, and foster a healthy work culture. He advocated making such tournaments a regular calendar fixture while expanding into more sporting disciplines.

Emphasising the need for grassroots development, Keoshu stressed investing in age-group training, particularly in the Under-10, Under-15, and Under-20 tiers. “If we want to see Naga players competing at the national and international level tomorrow, then the preparation must begin today,” he asserted, adding that natural talent must be matched with discipline, structured coaching, and sustained support.

Sharing reflections from his recent visit to a table tennis academy in Thailand, Keoshu highlighted the role of family support, recalling an Under-10 trainee whose parents drove 40 kilometres daily to ensure proper training. He noted that DYRS is working on initiatives to provide deserving athletes with high-performance coaching and international exposure to prepare them for elite domestic and global stages.

The closing programme was chaired by Imdong, while Akuonuo Khezhie Yhome, Managing Director of NIAPA and Proprietor of NIAPA Khelo India Centre, delivered the vote of thanks.