CRPF's SPANDAN Turns Sports Into a Bridge of Peace in Conflict-Hit Kangpokpi

In a significant push to rebuild community confidence and promote peace amid prolonged conflict and hardship, the CRPF has taken its sports outreach programme SPANDAN to different parts of Kangpokpi district, bringing together Kuki and Naga youth and villagers through kabaddi, cycling and marathon events.

Organised by different CRPF battalions under the aegis of the IGP, Manipur and Nagaland Sector, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the events were held at Yaikongpao along NH-2, Motbung and Makui on the IT Road, drawing enthusiastic participation from local youth and large crowds of villagers.

The initiative, whose theme SPANDAN stands for “Sports for Peace and Development Cross the Nation”, seeks to use sports as a vehicle for community development, discipline, confidence, team spirit and leadership while creating spaces for people to come together despite the continuing challenges posed by conflict.

At Yaikongpao village, 112 Battalion CRPF organised a men’s kabaddi tournament in which eight teams representing Tumnoupokpi (Tisa), Daili (Eagle), Yaikongpao (Bulls), Mahika, Kalapahar (Khalkhola Pro), Lower Thangamba, Phyapou and Liyai (Lklyso) participated.

After a day-long competition, Lower Thangamba emerged victorious, defeating Yaikongpao in the final, while Mahika secured third place.

The tournament witnessed a strong community turnout, with elderly villagers, women and children cheering for their respective teams, turning the sporting contest into a rare gathering of communities in an area that has endured prolonged uncertainty.

The closing ceremony was attended by 112 Battalion Commandant R K Baruah, Thangal Union general secretary M Khangba, Mahika village chairman D Nunsan and former national judo player and ex-Havildar D Timothy Thangal, besides CRPF officers, village elders and residents.

The winners, runners-up and third-place team received cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 4,000 respectively, along with medals and certificates.

Baruah congratulated the participating teams and thanked village chiefs and elders for their cooperation, saying the CRPF would continue community-oriented initiatives aimed at promoting development, peace and harmony.

Khangba expressed gratitude to the CRPF for bringing “smiles” to villagers through such initiatives during difficult times and assured cooperation and support to the security forces deployed in the area.

At Motbung, C/112 Battalion CRPF organised a 10-km men’s cycling event, beginning from Motbung Bazar on NH-2 and passing through Pangmol, Songlung, Mongpijang and Saparmaina before returning to the finishing point.

Local youth from Motbung and surrounding villages participated enthusiastically in the race.

Lamtinlal Singsit won the cycling event with a timing of 28 minutes 10 seconds, followed by Thanggoumang Haokip in 29 minutes 27 seconds and Lamginlen Vaiphei in 30 minutes 45 seconds.

The winners received cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively, besides medals and certificates. All participants were also felicitated.

Notably, two veterans aged above 45 years, Satngam Kipgen and Krishna Bahadur Karki, also took part in the cycling event, underscoring the organisers’ emphasis on participation across age groups.

The event was witnessed by local village representatives and Kuki women community leaders, besides CRPF officers and residents.

Meanwhile, A/67 Battalion CRPF conducted a 10-km marathon at Makui village along the IT Road, attracting enthusiastic participation from local youth and residents of surrounding villages.

Gospel Chawangtingduimai won the marathon with a timing of 36 minutes 12 seconds, while Chunchambou Wijunamai and Robert Nikhanamai finished second and third with timings of 38 minutes 26 seconds and 39 minutes 51 seconds respectively.

The winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 6,000 and Rs 4,000 respectively, along with medals and certificates, while all participants received certificates in recognition of their efforts.

Makui village chief Normal Wijunamai and members of the Village Authority attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Commandant Vikram, officer-in-charge of A/67 Battalion, underlined the role of sports in instilling discipline, confidence, teamwork, leadership and a healthy outlook among young people.

The three events, spread across different locations of Kangpokpi and involving local communities including Kuki and Naga participants, reflect the CRPF's attempt to use sports not merely as recreation but as a means of reconnecting communities, engaging young people and creating a sense of normalcy in a conflict-affected region.

The SPANDAN initiative comes at a time when communities across Kangpokpi continue to grapple with the social and economic consequences of prolonged conflict, making such public sporting gatherings significant occasions for community interaction and collective participation.