Rajiv Gandhi University Triumphs Over NERIST in Independence Day Badminton Trophy

Itanagar, India Aug 17, 2026 ALN: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) emerged victorious over the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), defeating the latter 10-5 in the RGU–NERIST Independence Day Badminton Running Trophy-II held at the RGU Indoor Sports Hall on Saturday.

The tournament was organised as part of the celebrations marking the 80th Independence Day. A total of 15 doubles matches were played, featuring faculty members, academic administrators, non-teaching staff, research scholars, and students from both institutions. The contest included 13 men’s doubles and two women’s doubles matches, showcasing a blend of talent and competitive spirit.

Badminton, a sport that requires agility, teamwork, and strategic thinking, was chosen for this event, reflecting its growing popularity in India, particularly in educational institutions. The tournament not only provided a platform for competition but also aimed to foster community spirit and collaboration between RGU and NERIST, both of which play significant roles in the educational landscape of the northeastern region of India.

RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shivaraj, who attended the tournament as chief guest, jointly inaugurated the event with NERIST Director-in-Charge Prof. Tado Karlo. In his address, Prof. Shivaraj emphasized that the tournament was more than a sporting competition, describing it as an occasion to promote camaraderie, healthy competition, and institutional fellowship. His remarks highlighted the importance of sports in education, suggesting that such events contribute to holistic development by instilling values such as discipline and teamwork.

He underscored that sporting events like the badminton trophy help strengthen the bond between the two premier institutions while encouraging discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship among students and members of both institutions. This sentiment resonates with the broader educational philosophy that promotes extracurricular activities as essential components of student life.

RGU Registrar Dr. N.T. Rikam noted that such events provide an opportunity for the two institutions to come together as part of national celebrations. He informed that the running trophy would be retained permanently by an institution only after it wins the tournament three consecutive times, adding an element of competitive spirit and long-term goal setting to the event.

Prof. Tado Karlo appreciated RGU for hosting the tournament and stated that sports have the ability to transcend institutional boundaries and foster teamwork, mutual respect, and fellowship. His remarks point to the potential of sports to create lasting relationships and networks among participants, which can be beneficial for future collaborations in academic and research endeavors.

RGU Joint Registrar Dr. David Pertin, who coordinated the event, mentioned that the tournament was a sequel to the first running trophy introduced in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The earlier trophy had already been retained by RGU after the university won it for three consecutive years, establishing a competitive tradition that encourages ongoing participation and improvement.

This year’s tournament was hosted and funded by the RGU administration with financial support from the Bank of Baroda, RGU Branch. The involvement of local businesses in sponsoring such events highlights the importance of community support in promoting sports and education.

The 15 matches were played according to the rankings of teams from the two institutions, ensuring a fair and balanced competition. RGU took an early lead, winning the first three matches before NERIST opened its account in the fourth. The host university subsequently consolidated its advantage, winning 10 of the 15 matches, while NERIST secured five, demonstrating the competitive nature of the event.

The opening match saw the RGU pair of Dr. Rupam Sharma and Jumli Kato defeat RK Mangang and Rajarshi of NERIST 21-10, 21-5. RGU’s Nich Bapu and Takang Sangdo won the second match against Yoshim Kapang and Tana Taje 21-15, 21-8, showcasing strong performances from the RGU teams. In the sixth match, RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shivaraj and Dr. Nani Tamang Jose faced a challenging match against NERIST Director-in-Charge Prof. Tado Karlo and M. Arjun, ultimately winning 18-21, 21-9, 21-13 in a closely fought three-set encounter, which highlighted the competitive spirit of both institutions.

NERIST staged a brief comeback by winning the 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th matches, but RGU had already secured a decisive lead to finish the tournament 10-5. This outcome not only reflects RGU's strength in badminton but also the competitive nature of the tournament, where each match was fiercely contested.

The event also featured individual and team awards, recognizing outstanding performances and contributions. Dr. P. Devachandra Singh of NERIST and Gunzan Gongo of RGU were adjudged best players in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. RGU’s Bila Karbak received the Best Smasher award, highlighting individual excellence within the team framework. The Best Men’s Doubles Team award went to NERIST’s Chewang Thupden Bhutia and Debia Kamin, while the Best Women’s Doubles Team award was won by RGU’s Gunzan Gongo and Tayo Ana, showcasing the talent present in both institutions.

The tournament was contested by 26 men’s doubles and four women’s doubles teams, with a large gathering of faculty members, officers, research scholars, students, staff, badminton enthusiasts, and sports lovers from the surrounding areas witnessing the matches. This turnout not only reflects the interest in badminton but also the importance of community engagement in educational events.

The awards and trophies were presented to the players by the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of RGU, the NERIST Director-in-Charge, members of the RGU Officers’ Club, and officials from both institutions. This formal recognition of the participants serves to celebrate their achievements and encourage continued participation in future events, reinforcing the role of sports in building a vibrant academic community.