The Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA) Khelo India Centre will organise the 1st edition of NIAPA HORNBILL SMASH, a table tennis championship, from December 3 to 5, 2026, here at the NIAPA Table Tennis Indoor Stadium, 4th Mile, Agri Expo Site, Chümoukedima.
The tournament will be held under the aegis of the Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports and the Department of Tourism, as part of the Hornbill Festival 2026.
The three-day championship aims to bring together table tennis players from different states and regions, providing a platform for sporting competition, interaction and cultural exchange during Nagaland’s flagship annual festival.
The inaugural edition will feature categories: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Under-17 Boys’ Singles, Under-17 Girls’ Singles, Under-15 Boys’ Singles, Under-15 Girls’ Singles and Doubles 75+ (combined age).
The championship will also welcome interested table tennis enthusiasts, tourists and visitors travelling to Nagaland during the Hornbill Festival to be part of the championship.
It may be mentioned that NIAPA, a registered society established on July 31, 2003, was recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in 2022, with its Table Tennis Centre designated as a Khelo India Centre under Chümoukedima district.
The academy has previously organised five editions of the annual NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Championship, beginning in 2021. These events have provided competitive exposure to players and contributed to the promotion and development of table tennis in the Northeast.
The Centre hopes that the introduction of HORNBILL SMASH will further expand sporting opportunities during the Hornbill Festival, combining competitive sports with the cultural hospitality and tourism experience of Nagaland.
The interested participants may contact the organisers at +91 9856446674 / +91 9233722116 or email at neperformingarts11@gmail.com for registration and further details.
While the participants residing in Nagaland are requested to complete their registration on or before November 26, 2026.
The Centre have also extended invitations to Table Tennis Associations across the country to encourage their players to participate in the inaugural championship.
