“To strengthen camaraderie and foster unity among brethren,” Rhenz Saddoy, Local Congregation of Hamilton’s Buklod president, said of the aim of their district’s INC Unity Games staged recently.

For the sporting event, brethren from various local congregations in the Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand North gathered at the Te Awamutu Events Centre in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, on April 5 and 6, 2026.

The Unity Games began with warm-up exercises and a parade of colors of each participating local congregation. Then, Brother Dennis Dahunan, district supervising minister, delivered the opening remarks.

This was followed by the players’ oath of sportsmanship administered by Brother Khevin Villanueva, minister of the gospel, which officially “got the ball rolling.”

The two-day sports activity featured basketball (men’s and women’s categories), volleyball (men’s, women’s), bowling, badminton (men-singles, women-singles, mix doubles). It also included scrabble, chess, dama (checker), and darts, as well as cheer dance competition.

As disclosed the second and last day of games, teams and players from Tauranga Congregation emerged champion in basketball (women’s), badminton (men-singles), and scrabble. Papakura Congregation’s representatives won in badminton (mix-doubles), chess, cheer dance. Hamilton Congregation landed first place in basketball (men’s), badminton (women-singles). Other winning congregations were Hutt Valley: volleyball (men’s) and dama; Massey: volleyball (women’s); Northshore: bowling; and Franklin: darts.

Jayson Dechavez (Hamilton), Izzie Obuyes (Hamilton), and Keith Samantha Santayo (Massey) were named MVPs in basketball, volleyball men’s and women’s, respectively, and received special awards. Hamilton Congregation was recognized for having the most number of attendees.

“This activity helps build relationships and strengthen the bond among brethren through sports, especially as they boost each other’s confidence,” said Britney Deguzman, one of the players. — With assistance from Elaine Marie Ignacio