A Catholic diocese in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland organized the Catholic Schools Games Meet 2024, a two-day sports event aimed at fostering camaraderie and teamwork among students from Catholic schools and various tribal communities.
“This is an opportunity for our young athletes to showcase their skills and build teamwork,” said Father Jacob Charalel, secretary of the Commission on Education of the Diocese of Kohima.
The event brought together over 1,000 students from 35 Catholic schools across Nagaland, known for its cultural diversity.
The games were hosted at various venues, including St. Joseph Higher Secondary School in Chumoukedima and St. Anthony School in Tenyiphe.
The Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports for the Government of Nagaland, Keoshu Yimkhiung, emphasized the cultural significance of the event in his inaugural address.
“The Games Meet is not just an event; it’s a festival of passion, discipline, teamwork, and respect for one another,” he said, urging participants to embrace unity and engage in the competition for the joy of the experience.
Father Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General of the diocese, invoked blessings for all athletes and organizers, saying, “May this gathering foster healthy competition and promote a sense of community and fellowship among our youth.”
Hundreds of spectators attended the games to support their teams. A local resident commented, “It’s heartwarming to see the community come together like this.” Members of the Catholic community provided meals and volunteer support to assist with the event’s organization.
Father Charalel said, “Through sports, we aim to instill discipline and character in our youth while creating new opportunities for growth.”
He added that the initiative underscored the role of sports as a unifying force in Nagaland’s culturally rich and varied landscape.
