Jalukie, 4 November (MTNews): Defending champions Azailong and debutant Heningkunglwa emerged as the winners of the 2nd Peren District Inter Village Volleyball Tournament (men and women) respectively on Saturday at Mhainamtsi Village local ground.
The 5-day tournament was organized by Peren District Volleyball Association (PDVA). The valedictory program was graced by Chairman, Peren District Chairman Union (VCC Old Jalukie) Hainkieng Hiekha as the guest of honour.
In the men’s thrilling final match, Azailong defeated Heningkunglwa 23-25, 25-11, 25-15, 25-12 in the best-of-five sets format to retain the championship title. In women’s volleyball, Heningkunglwa beat Ace Ahthibung in a highly contested final match to emerge as the champions.
In the men’s individual category, Player of the Tournament was awarded to Abam Iralu of Heningkunglwa; Best Spiker was bagged by Kesoga Samding of Azailong; Best setter by Seme Terhuja of Heningkunglwa.
In the individual category for women, Player of the Tournament was bagged by Pungbawangle of Vega Club Jalukie Town; Best Spiker by Isidaule of Heningkunglwa; Best Setter by Lhingtinneng of Ace Ahthibung.
The Best Discipline team in men was awarded to Old Jalukie A, while best discipline team in women was bagged by Nsong Town.
The champions in both the categories, Azailong (men) and Heningkunglwa (women), walked away with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each, trophies and certificates; while runners-up Heningkunglwa (men) and Ace Ahthibung (women) received Rs 20,000 each. The winners in the individual categories for both men and women received Rs 2,000 each. The losing semi-finalists for both the categories also received Rs 5,000 each while the best discipline teams for both categories received Rs 5,000 each.
Earlier, in the first men’s semifinal, Azailong defeated Old Jalukie Youth Organisation (A) to progress to the final. While in the second semifinal, Heningkunglwa upset Raise and Roof Lekie Village in three straight sets.
In the women’s first semifinal, Heningkunglwa defeated Vega Club Jalukie Town to book their berth in the final while Ace Ahthibung beat Mhainamtsi A to claim their berth in the final.
Altogether, 49 teams from across the district participated in the tournament that concluded on November 4.
Speaking at the program, guest of honour Hainkieng lauded the players for proudly representing their own villages in the most prestigious tourney in the district. The special guest also handed over the prizes to the winners and de-hoisted the tournament flag.
The closing program was moderated by Ilampeule Nampeung; invocation by pastor Rongmei Baptist Church Mhainamtsi, Gaimunrai Gonmei; special number by Liwang Chawang; vote of thanks by PDVA general secretary, Itolang Hiaka; and benediction by pastor Liangmai Baptist Phumling Mhainamtsi, Iphiuraibo Pamai.