46th Li-Ning Inter District Badminton Championship 2024 concludes | Mokokchung emerges overall champions

The 46th Li-Ning Inter-District & State Open Badminton Championship concluded at the Police Complex in Chumoukedima on August 3, 2024.

Gracing the closing ceremony as a special guest, DGP Nagaland Rupin Sharma, IPS, stated that the Nagaland Police has always been at the forefront of promoting sports in the state. He emphasized the need for talented sportspeople in Nagaland and remarked that sports are not just about winning but also about learning to handle defeat. He added that the spirit of competition should always be maintained, with a focus on excelling and respecting others simultaneously.

Sharma expressed hope that the sports infrastructure in Nagaland would improve in the near future. He also suggested providing athletes with exposure to neighboring states. He praised the organizers for the successful event and expressed optimism that next year’s event will surpass this year’s.

In his presidential address, Kesonyu Yhome, IAS, noted that the Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) has been organizing the event annually to offer athletes a platform to compete and showcase their talents. He mentioned that this year, the NBA consciously separated the Senior and Under-19 categories from the Under-15 and below categories, which will be organized at a later date this year to ensure dedicated attention to these young athletes.

Yhome emphasized that identifying and nurturing young players during their formative years with dedication and commitment is crucial for elevating them to national and international platforms. He highlighted that hard work, personal discipline, relentless practice, and proper guidance have brought them to their current levels of achievement.

He informed that the NBA is considering collaborating with reputed training centers and academies, both within and outside the state, for promising young players. Yhome called for collective effort to elevate the sport to higher levels and thanked the host team, Nagaland Police, under the aegis of the DGP, as well as the core team, Unit Commandants, personnel, volunteers, technical officials, NBA colleagues, and players for their contributions to the success of the 46th Open State Championship.

The program was chaired by Commandant NAPTC Ben Longkumer, NPS. The welcome address was delivered by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Training) and Convener of the Organizing Committee, Imnalensa, IPS, while concluding remarks were shared by Vice President of the NBA, Er. Kasho Chishi.

The winners of the competition are as follows:

Senior Men’s Singles:
· Winner: Riku Khape (Dimapur)
· Runner-up: Hariom Dulait (Chumu)

Senior Women’s Singles:
· Winner: Leimapokpam Diana (Chumu)
· Runner-up: Mepulila Jamir (Mokokchung)

Men’s Doubles:
· Winners: Teichang Herie and Peramrisi Zeliang (Peren)
· Runners-up: Vikhietuo Kense and Hitto Swu (Kohima/Shamator)

Women’s Doubles:
· Winners: Leimapokpam Diana and Huidrom Vilinda (Chumu)
· Runners-up: Shekhotolu Puro and Tovali Shohel (Dimapur)

Mixed Doubles:
· Winners: Peramrisi Zeliang (Peren) and Debahuti Lahon (Kohima)
· Runners-up: Riku Khape (Dimapur) and Bendangnaro (Nagaland Police)

Under-19 Boys’ Singles:
· Winner: Yhonenba (Mokokchung)
· Runner-up: Heloka Sw (Niuland)

Under-19 Girls’ Singles:
· Winner: A. Ponlih Konyak (Mon)
· Runner-up: Imlikumla Imsong (Mokokchung)

Under-19 Boys’ Doubles:
· Winners: Karan Kumar and Heloka Swu (Niuland)
· Runners-up: Bovi K Chishi and Nchatu Herie (Dimapur/Peren)

Under-19 Girls’ Doubles:
· Winners: Imlikumla Imsong (Mokokchung) and Kipangwala (Dimapur)
· Runners-up: Tanisha Gurung and Lhouvisanuo Solo (Mon)

Mokokchung District emerged as the overall team champion.

MT