Sentilong Longkumer | Changtongya | November 8
The first edition of the Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy organized by the Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) and powered by Lenjeter, the monthly Ao Magazine, got underway on Tuesday at Public Ground, Changtongya Town with Imnatiba Jamir, MLA & Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland gracing the inaugural function as the chief guest. The tournament will culminate on November 10.
Imnatiba Jamir during his address said that although Nagaland is a small state with a small area and a small population, it has numerous problems. He recalled a time when Changtongya town was well known for its games, sports, and music, as well as a time when it was a “troublesome location due to the presence of numerous underground factions.”
He claimed that after CM Rio took office in 2003, things started to shift. He added that the present government is making every effort to encourage sports by constructing astroturf fields in numerous districts and encouraging individuals to participate in national-level sporting competitions.
He went on to discuss how volleyball is a very popular sport, especially in Changtongya, and how it helps to bring people together and foster a sense of community. He expressed gratitude to the supporters and the organizers for their efforts in spreading joy through sports.
In a brief address, Yanbemo Humtsoe, Technical General Secretary of the Nagaland Volleyball Association (NVA), commended the CVA for inviting the NVA and noted that not many organizations do so when tournaments are conducted around Nagaland. According to him, volleyball is perhaps the second most popular and widely played sport in Nagaland after football, and it is especially well-liked in the Ao region. He encouraged all teams to take part in the tournament and notified the teams present that the NVA Open Volleyball Championship will take place on November 16 and 17.
Earlier, short speeches were delivered by Tiasunep Longkumer, Chairman of Changtongya Village Council and Pursunep, son of Late Imonungba Jamir while Imkongsanen, CVA President, gave the welcome address.
The volleyball tournament is being organized by the CVA in memory of Lt. Imonungba Jamir who was an ace volleyball captain from Changtongya Volleyball Team with his specialized position being left attacker. He participated in various important tournaments all over India including 24th National School Games Autumn Meet (NSGAM) 1978, Srinagar; 25th NSGAM 1979, Guwahati; 29th NSG Winter Meet 1983, Bilaspur; 30th NSG Winter Meet part- 1 1985, Aizawl; 33rd National Volleyball Championship 1984 – 85 Kanpur; All India Congress youth Rajiv Gandhi Trophy, May 1983, New Delhi (played for Nagaland team); CKT Team Captain in All Nagaland Open Championship Cosmos Trophy 1982 and Rising Club Changtongya Team captain in the same Cosmos trophy in 1983 and won both the trophies.
The first edition of the Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy is being participated by 11 teams in 4 Pools with the tournament being played in a League cum Knockout format. The teams are namely: CVA ‘B’, Team Longsa and Yimyu in Pool A; Evergreen Club Ungma, CVA ‘A’ and MH10 Kohima Senior in Pool B; MH10 Kohima Junior, Sumedem Club Kubza and Ritsung Rogo in Pool C; and Tuli Volleyball Team and Young Spiker Club Unger in Pool D.
Day 1 Match Report:
1. CVA ‘A’ Vs MH-10 Kohima Senior: CVA ‘A’ beat MH-10 Kohima Senior 25/16 25/21
2. CVA ‘B’ Vs Team Longsa: Team Longsa beat CVA ‘B’ in straight set 25/16, 25/17
3. MH-10 Kohima Junior Vs Sumedem Club, Kubza: MH-10 junior thrash Sumedem club Kubza, 25/11, 25/14
4. Evergreen Club, Ungma Vs CVA ‘A’: CVA ‘A’ thrash Evergreen club Ungma, 25/14, 25/16
5. Yimyu Vs Team Longsa: Yimyu thrash Team Longsa, 25/20, 25/23
6. MH-10 Junior Vs Ritsung Rogo : MH-10 Junior easy win at straight set 25/15, 25/16
7. CVA ‘B’ Vs Yimyu: CVA ‘B’ beat Yimyu in the deciding set 21/25, 25/20, 14/25
