The 12th Peren District Inter-Departmental Tournament 2026 was inaugurated at the Indoor Badminton Stadium, Jalukie, on 7th October 2026, with Deputy Chief Minister, Planning & Transformation and National Highways, T.R Zeliang, as the Special Guest. The tournament will culminate on 9th October 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang expressed pleasure at being part of the 12th Peren District Inter-Departmental Tournament and thanked the District Administration and the Department of Youth Resources & Sports for organizing the event.
Emphasising the importance of sports in bringing people together, Zeliang said that while government employees serve in different capacities as clerks, engineers, teachers, officers and staff across various departments, sports provide an opportunity for them to come together as teammates and friendly rivals. He said that the three-day tournament featuring badminton, futsal, carrom, arm wrestling, table tennis and chess would promote discipline, patience, fair play and respect for rules.
He urged all participants to maintain sporting spirit and accept both victory and defeat with grace.
Speaking on the responsibilities of government employees, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that government service is a trust placed upon employees by the people and emphasised that public servants are “servants and not masters.” He said every citizen who approaches a government office, whether a farmer from a remote village, a student seeking a certificate or a senior citizen seeking a service, expects to find government employees at their respective places of posting.
Zeliang also emphasised the importance of punctuality and respecting the workplace timetable. Appreciating the PIM System, he said that when proper systems are in place, everyone becomes accountable.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government, on its part, is making efforts to provide better working and living conditions for government employees. He stated that new office buildings and residential quarters are being constructed, particularly at the district headquarters and across the district, to enable employees to work and reside in a comfortable and dignified environment closer to the people they serve.
Citing the recently constructed office and residential quarter of the District Sports Officer, Peren, which was virtually inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, he said such facilities are being created to enable officers and staff to remain at their stations and discharge their duties effectively.
He stated that when the government invests in improving the working conditions of its employees, it is only fair that the people receive sincere and committed service in return.
The Deputy Chief Minister therefore appealed to all government employees to be punctual, courteous and accountable to the people they serve.
Drawing an analogy from sports, Zeliang said, “A good player does not need the referee’s whistle to remember the rules, and a good officer does not need a warning to remember his duty.”
He expressed hope that the tournament would strengthen the bond among various departments and encourage employees to carry the spirit of teamwork back to their respective workplaces.
“Let us make Peren District a role model of honesty, responsiveness and people-friendly administration,” he said.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Physical Instructor of Sports, DYRS, Peren, Azhato Nyekha. ADC Peren, D. Robin, delivered the welcome address, followed by a special presentation by the Peren District Music Society. The oath was administered by District Sports Officer, Peren, Wutsutho, after which the Special Guest formally declared the tournament open.
(DPRO & Mamang, IA, Peren)
