Dimapur, August 21 (MExN): The Silver Jubilee celebration of the Sumi Chess Association Nagaland (SCAN) commenced at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, on August 20 with the inaugural programme marked by prayer, reflections, and tributes.
Rev Kihoto Rotokha, Evangelist, WSBAK-Akuvuto, invoked blessings upon the pioneers, officials, and former executives of the Association and prayed for the success of the championship.
The occasion was graced by Dr K Inazhe Phuleshe, Director (Retd.), RD Department, Government of Nagaland, as the special guest. In his address, Dr Phuleshe recalled the formation of SCAN on August 20, 2000, at Kohima by eight pioneers and spoke on the impact the Association has made in the past 25 years. He noted that during this period, 10 office bearers and key players had passed away.
“However, God has brought this far,” he said.
Dr Phuleshe also shared life lessons he has drawn from the game of chess. Quoting Mark 8:36, he said: “For what shall it profit a man if gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” He explained that just as in chess, even if a player has all 16 pieces, if the king is checkmated, he loses everything; in spiritual life too, gaining the world means nothing if one loses the soul.
He further spoke on lessons of damage control and crisis management, citing Proverbs 24:10, “If you falter in times of crisis, how small is your strength!” He also quoted Bruce Lee: “Work until you don’t need to introduce yourself,” urging the gathering to pursue perseverance and hard work. He illustrated with an anecdote of a man who lifted a bull he had trained from birth, drawing a lesson for young people to pursue their passions from an early age to achieve mastery.
A special song was presented by Kiviinoli Zhimo, Music Director, Chekiye Baptist Church. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the departed pioneers.
The 12th Sumi Chess Championship 2025 is being held in commemoration of the jubilee, with 79 participants. The youngest players include Edlina Nini Kiba, 6, from Bloom Academy, Ekranipathar, and Jeremy Nitova Zhimoni, 7, from N.N. Nagi School, Dimapur, while the oldest participant is 73-year-old Yekhevi Yeptho.
SCAN President Inakhe Shiniho Jakhalu delivered the presidential address, while Toikhu Awomi, the first President of SCAN, presented the keynote address. The programme was chaired by SCAN General Secretary Mughato K Kiba.
On the second day, noted industrialist and philanthropist Anato Zhimomi opened the matches as the Match Patron. In the championship, the fourth runners in the Open category are Mughaho Awomi, Kughaho Kiho, and Toivi. In the age-group categories, Thophimi (U18), Kuxupu Achumi (U14), and Apishe Kiba (U10) secured positions.
The championship will conclude on August 22.
