The 1st Nagaland Open Basketball Tournament organized by the Basketball Association Mokokchung District (BAMD) in collaboration with Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) commenced today at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex Basketball Court Mokokchung.
Sentinungsang Longkumer, General Secretary, Nagaland Basketball Association graced the occasion as special guest. The tournament will conclude on December 16.
During his speech, Sentinungsang Longkumer expressed his appreciation to the BAMD for its formation and affiliation to the NBA whilst also praising the Association for hosting the tournament and hoped that it will be a leader in developing talents even for the national level.
He went on to say that while the NBA had been stagnant in the past, efforts are being made for the association to go beyond the state and perform at the northeast and national levels, and that the NBA is planning to promote basketball in the state by organizing inter-school basketball tournaments in the Under-14 and Under-16 age categories.
Longkumer asserted that developing quality referees, coaches, and infrastructure are three critical areas to consider for the state’s basketball scene to thrive. “Quality coaches are required who should have good knowledge of the game and give a fair conduct of the game,” he said, adding that the state has only two basketball coaches, which does not meet the needs of the entire state.
The tournament features seven teams divided into two groups and is played in a league-knockout format. The tournament features five teams from Kohima and two teams from Mokokchung, namely Travellers, Kohima Chiefs, Ringers, and TMP in Group A and Coyotes, Orca, and Tepenjem in Group B.
The tournament is officiated by James, Henry & Franke from Meghalaya and Marmayang, Achetla and Imkumnaro from Nagaland.
Earlier, Limawati Jamir, Associate Pastor Youth, Impur pronounced the invocation.
The inaugural match of the day witnessed Team Orca (Kohima) beat Team Coyotes (Mokokchung).