Nagaland makes history with Gold in Sepak Takraw at Khelo India Beach Games
Nagaland wrapped up KIBG 2025 on a strong note, securing third place with a total of five gold, three silver, and five bronze medals. Notably, four of their gold medals came from pencak silat. In the overall medal tally, only Manipur and Maharashtra—ranked first and second—earned more silver medals than Nagaland.
Hyderabad: Nagaland created history in the Khelo India Beach Games sepak takraw winning the women’s quad regu team gold in Diu .
The top performance catapulted them to finish in the top three for the first time at any Khelo India games. Delhi beat Manipur to clinch gold in the men’s quad regu team event.
Nagaland ended the KIBG 2025 on a high, finishing third with five gold, three silver and five bronze medals. Four of Nagaland’s gold medals came from pencak silat. Only Manipur and Maharashtra, No. 1 and No. 2 in the medal standings had more silver medals.
As the final whistle blew, there were jubilations and celebrations across the Ghoghla beach, creating the perfect pre-weekend carnival. The Nagaland women’s team battled nerves, strong resistance and brought in their A-game to pip Haryana 2-1 in a thrilling women’s quad final.
“It was a very dramatic match. Haryana were playing so well but luck favoured us and we got the job done,” a jubilant Kethosituo Sekhose, Chef de Mission of Nagaland, told SAI Media. “This team will now prepare and hopefully some of them will get selected for the India team. The overall performance for Nagaland has been very nice. Almost everyone got a medal,” he added.
The Delhi men’s team meanwhile won the quad regu final 2-0 with relative ease against Manipur, who became overall KIBG 2025 champions. A solid crowd gathered and cheered in every single rally during both the women’s and men’s sepak takraw quad finals. However, it was the thrilling women’s final that mesmerized all present.
Seyiekhrieno Tepa, captain of the Nagaland women’s side, couldn’t hold back her emotions. “I’m so happy. The match was tough but we kept giving our best. Right now, I’m feeling so grateful, firstly I want to thank God, my family, my coaches, my team and everyone,” the 24-year-old said post-match.
“The accommodations and all arrangements were done so well here at the Khelo India Beach Games. Now we have to continue our hard work for the upcoming competitions too,” she added.
The results: Quad regu: Men: Gold: Delhi; Silver: Manipur; Bronze: Odisha, Bihar
Women: Gold: Nagaland; Silver: Haryana; Bronze: Uttar Pradesh, Odisha
