Team Nagaland at Khelo India Beach Games 2026 at Ghoghla Beach, Diu.
Yarden Jamir
Diu | January 10
Nagaland’s strong showing at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 came despite significant challenges, with the state competing without several of its most experienced players due to police recruitment and academic commitments.
The Games, which concluded at Ghoghla Beach, Diu, saw Karnataka top the final medal table with 11 medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 6 Bronze). Tamil Nadu finished as first runners-up with eight medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze), followed by Manipur as second runners-up with seven medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze).
Nagaland finished ninth overall with five medals — 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze.
Despite missing key players, Nagaland’s contingent delivered across Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw.
In Beach Sepaktakraw, Nagaland was forced to field a largely junior squad after many senior players were unable to attend because of the ongoing Nagaland Police recruitment.
“Around five female players and three male players couldn’t attend because of the police recruitment,” said Hopson Sumi, a coach of the Nagaland Beach Sepaktakraw team. “It was very difficult to make the team this year because these were our medal holders and experienced players.”
He said the absence of senior players affected Nagaland’s medal prospects, especially in the women’s categories. “This year the team is mostly juniors. The youngest player in the Nagaland contingent was just 14 years old. They are getting experience for next year, but we had real hope for gold medals, particularly in the women’s section, if those players were here.”
Even so, Nagaland still claimed two Sepaktakraw bronzes, with the women’s quad team and men’s trio team each finishing third.
In Beach Pencak Silat, Nagaland arrived without two gold medallists from the 2025 edition, who were unable to participate this year due to semester examinations. Yet athletes stepped up, with Kitenlo Thono and Nyia K Thono both winning gold, while Hatneinem Khongsai secured silver after reaching the final but being hospitalised with a high fever.
Nagaland fielded eight Pencak Silat athletes — four men and four women — and a 30-strong contingent overall across Pencak Silat and Sepaktakraw at the Games.
While praising the athletes’ performances, Sumi also pointed to long-standing infrastructure challenges back home. “Yes, there are facilities in Nagaland, but we need much better ones. The gap between us and other states has grown significantly. Athletes elsewhere train in good stadiums, but for us, when the rainy season starts, we have to stop training. It becomes very difficult,” he said, adding that sand-specific preparation is also essential.
Arun Gupta, Director-cum-Joint Secretary (Youth Affairs & Sports), Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, told the Morung Express that the strong performances of Northeast states at the Beach Games show that coastal access is not essential for success.
“In the first edition, Manipur finished first and Nagaland finished third. Two of the top three were from the Northeast,” Gupta said. “Considering the situation in Manipur at the time, it was a great achievement. It shows the talent and potential of athletes from the Northeastern states.”
Gupta said the organisers are keen to support greater Northeast participation and are open to exchange programmes and specialised training initiatives. “Volleyball, football, Sepaktakraw and Pencak Silat are very popular in the Northeast. These Games suit the region very well. With proper facilities and training, landlocked states can also perform strongly on sand,” he added.
In a further boost to Nagaland’s Sepaktakraw programme, Neikou Sorhie has been selected for the Junior India Team and will undergo one month of training in Thailand, accompanied by coach Puleno Neikha.
Nagaland’s medal haul in Diu came from a squad that included many first-time and junior players.
