Participants of Baby League 2026 in Kohima on June 13. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 13
As part of the grassroot football festival, the 3rd edition of Baby League 2026 held at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima saw an impressive participation of 420 young children from different parts of the state capital Kohima.
This event, designed for age categories of 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years and 11- 12 years for both girls & boys, was organised by Department of Youth Resources & Sports to promote physical fitness and to groom aspiring children to take up football as a career.
Gracing the opening programme, Anthony Ngullie, IAS, secretary, Youth Resources & Sports department, said that the department had started this Baby League way back in 2024.
“We have been trying to encourage the young sportspersons, especially footballers, to start from a very young age” he said.
Ngullie informed that the department is now emphasizing this grassroot level Baby League football under the phrase “Catch them young and Teach them right.”
“We want to encourage the young children to start at a very young age so that as they grow older, they will have much more experience and they will also learn a lot in the course of their journey as a young footballer,” he said.
The Baby League also aim to build friendship, teamwork & sportsmanship spirit, and also to build confidence in the young children, he said.
Sharing experience on Baby League, a nine year participant Kedi Sekhose thanked the department for organizing such event for children’s wellbeing and look forward more such programme in the coming days as well.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Khriehutuo Tsira, Senior State Sports Coach, Department of Youth Resources & Sports while Vikhozo Zao, Associate pastor, PCRC invoked God’s blessings.
