Sangai Cup 2026: Judo tournament in Imphal to select Manipur's Nationals team
Synopsis
The Sangai Cup Inter Club Judo Tournament 2026 is more than a competition — it is Manipur's official gateway to the National Judo Championships. Held at SAI's Takyelpat hall from 17–19 October, the three-day event organised by IIS and MJA will determine state representatives across Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior categories in what is emerging as one of Northeast India's key judo talent pipelines.
Key Takeaways
The Sangai Cup Inter Club Judo Tournament 2026 runs from 17–19 October at the SAI New Multipurpose Hall, Takyelpat, Imphal .
The event serves as official state selection trials for Manipur's team at the National Judo Championships .
Four categories compete: Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior , and Senior (both boys and girls).
The tournament is jointly organised by the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and the Manipur Judo Association (MJA) .
Weigh-ins begin on Thursday, 16 October , with the closing ceremony and medal presentation on Sunday, 19 October .
The Sangai Cup Inter Club Judo Tournament 2026 is set to be held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) New Multipurpose Hall, Takyelpat, Imphal, from Friday, 17 October to Sunday, 19 October 2026. The three-day event will double as official state selection trials, with top performers across categories earning a place in Manipur's contingent for the National Judo Championships.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Competition spans four age groups — Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior — covering both boys and girls. Weigh-ins open on Thursday, 16 October, with bouts for Junior Boys and Girls and Sub-Junior Girls scheduled at Khuman Lampark.
On Friday, the mats come alive with Junior (Boys and Girls) and Sub-Junior Girls bouts, alongside weigh-ins for Sub-Junior Boys and Cadets. Saturday brings Sub-Junior Boys and Cadet bouts, while Senior Men and Women complete their weigh-ins. The final day, Sunday, concludes with Senior Men and Women bouts, followed by the closing ceremony and medal presentations.
Organisers and Partnership
The tournament is a joint initiative of the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and the Manipur Judo Association (MJA). The two bodies have collaborated on the Sangai Cup previously, and the 2026 edition continues that partnership with a dual purpose — competitive sporting action and structured state-level talent identification.
IIS President Manisha Malhotra underscored the significance of the tie-up: 'Manipur Judo Association has been a valued partner in our efforts to develop judo in the region. We are delighted to continue supporting the Sangai Cup, which also serves as the state selection trials and offers athletes an opportunity to earn a place at the National Championships.'
Northeast Judo on the Rise
Malhotra also highlighted the broader sporting potential of the region: 'Manipur and the Northeast have consistently produced exceptional sporting talent, and through initiatives like this, we hope to provide more competitive opportunities, nurture young judokas and contribute to the continued growth of judo in the region.'
This comes amid growing institutional focus on combat sports development in Northeast India, where states like Manipur have regularly punched above their weight at national and international competitions. The Sangai Cup, named after Manipur's state animal — the endangered brow-antlered deer — has become one of the more meaningful grassroots selection platforms in the region.
What's Next for Manipur Judokas
Athletes who secure selection through this weekend's bouts will represent Manipur at the National Judo Championships across all four age categories. The tournament is expected to attract competitive participation from clubs across the state, with selection stakes raising the intensity beyond a routine inter-club fixture.
Point of View
Merit-based pipeline to national competition. What is notable, however, is the quiet but consistent role that private institutions like IIS are playing in Northeast sports development, filling gaps that state infrastructure alone has struggled to bridge. Manipur's combat sports pedigree is well-established, but converting raw talent into sustained national representation requires exactly these kinds of institutionalised pathways. Whether the selections from this weekend translate into podium performances at the Nationals will be the real measure of the tournament's value.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sangai Cup Inter Club Judo Tournament 2026?
The Sangai Cup Inter Club Judo Tournament 2026 is a three-day judo competition held in Imphal from 17–19 October 2026, jointly organised by the Inspire Institute of Sport and the Manipur Judo Association. It serves as the official state selection trials to choose Manipur's team for the National Judo Championships across Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior categories.
Where is the Sangai Cup 2026 being held?
The tournament is being held at the Sports Authority of India New Multipurpose Hall, Takyelpat, Imphal, Manipur. Weigh-ins for certain categories are also scheduled at Khuman Lampark on Thursday, 16 October.
Which age categories are part of the Sangai Cup 2026?
The tournament covers four categories — Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior — for both boys and girls. Each category competes on specific days across the three-day schedule, with weigh-ins held a day before the respective bouts.
Who is organising the Sangai Cup Judo Tournament?
The Sangai Cup 2026 is jointly organised by the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and the Manipur Judo Association (MJA). IIS President Manisha Malhotra confirmed the partnership and highlighted IIS's ongoing commitment to developing judo talent in Manipur and the Northeast.
How does the Sangai Cup relate to the National Judo Championships?
Performance at the Sangai Cup directly determines which athletes represent Manipur at the National Judo Championships. The tournament functions as the official state selection trial, meaning results across all four categories will form the basis of the state team's composition for the national-level event.
