From left: Vikaito Yepthomi, Asalie Peseyie, DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato, Boktiba Jamir, Washipong Longkumer, and DUCCF VP Tongzuk Pongen addressing a press conference at Hotel Grand Vista, Dimapur on October 30. (Morung Photo)
DUCCF to host inter-colony games & sports meet 2026 in November
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 30
The city of Dimapur is set to witness ‘URBAN CHALLENGE,’ the first-ever Dimapur Urban Inter-Colony Open Games and Sports Meet 2026, to be held on November 20 and 21 at DDSC Stadium.
This was announced on Friday at a press conference convened by the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) at Hotel Grand Vista, officially setting the initiative in motion.
The event will bring together 97 colonies across 23 wards in Dimapur urban area, with representation from various tribal communities in the region.
Focusing on indigenous games and sports, the initiative aims to engage participants from different colonies through inter-colony competitions while promoting sportsmanship, fellowship and healthy competition.
Urban Challenge will feature six traditional sporting events: tug of war, bamboo stilt racing, nail hitting, spear target hitting, wood cutting with handsaw, and rooster fight.
Tug of war will be open to both men and women in separate categories, while nail hitting will be exclusively for women. Bamboo stilt racing, spear target hitting, wood cutting with handsaw and rooster fighting will be men's events.With no age restrictions for participation, the competitions will be open to eligible representatives of the participating colonies.
The DUCCF informed that the timings of the competitions will be announced soon, while comprehensive guidelines and other necessary details will be circulated to each participating colony.
According to the DUCCF, the initiative goes beyond sporting competition, seeking to foster unity, strengthen community bonds and showcase Dimapur's character as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city where diversity brings people together.
It further aims to preserve indigenous sporting traditions and passing them on to younger generations.
Envisioning the Urban Challenge as a potential mini Hornbill Festival of Dimapur, the DUCCF expressed hope that the initiative would grow into a celebration of the city's cultural diversity, through traditional sports and shared experiences.
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio will grace the inaugural ceremony as the special guest, while H Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA & Advisor, Tribal Affairs & Election and Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA & Advisor, Labor, Employment & Skill Development will serve as hosts.
To ensure smooth conduct of the event, the DUCCF has constituted a 15-member core committee comprising individuals drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, led by Convener Asalie Peseyie, an entrepreneur.
The DUCCF urged all residents of Dimapur to actively participate in and support the first-of-its-kind event. The team expressed hope that the meet would promote healthy competition and foster a greater sense of unity among the people of the city.
