The 14th Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy 2026 got underway at the Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, Mokokchung, on Wednesday, with eight teams competing in the three-day biennial All Nagaland Open tournament, which will conclude on September 18.
Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, S Keoshu Yimkhiung, graced the inaugural programme as guest of honour and called for sustained, year-round training to help young sportspersons progress beyond district and state-level competitions.
The tournament, organised by the Luke Sasong Sporting Association under the aegis of the Mangmetong Students’ Union, has eight teams divided into two pools. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, with the losing semi-finalists playing for third place and the winners competing for the title.
MH-10 Kohima, Changtongya Volleyball Association, Savage Setters Volleyball Club, Chungtia, Longsa Sporting Association and Ever Green Club, Ungma, registered wins on the opening day.
Defending champions MH-10 Kohima are seeking a third consecutive title after winning the 2022 and 2024 editions. The tournament carries a total cash prize of Rs 1.85 lakh, with individual awards for the best setter, best spiker and player of the tournament.
The memorial tournament was instituted in honour of Luke Sasong, a distinguished son of Mangmetong remembered as an educationist, pioneering Naga student leader, freedom fighter during the British era and Christian leader. The organisers said the event seeks to promote sportsmanship, youth development and community unity.
Yimkhiung said Nagaland has considerable sporting potential and stressed the importance of identifying and nurturing talent at an appropriate age. He encouraged sporting associations, local bodies and students’ organisations to support regular practice rather than concentrating resources only on tournaments.
Recalling the popularity of volleyball in Nagaland during the late 1990s, he referred to the All Nagaland Volleyball Tournament held around 1997-99, when teams from Guwahati, Shillong and Manipur participated. He particularly recalled Longsa Sporting Association’s performances against teams from outside the state, saying its team spirit had contributed to volleyball gaining recognition in Mokokchung.
The Advisor also highlighted opportunities through the Sports Department and Khelo India programmes, including academies and talent-identification initiatives. He urged associations to identify promising players and help them access training facilities, academies and sports quota opportunities.
The closing programme and grand final are scheduled for September 18 from 6 p.m., with RD and SIRD Minister Metsübo Jamir as guest of honour.
Day 1 match results
Match 1: MH-10 Kohima defeated Ever Green Club, Ungma, 20-25; 25-20; 25-15.
Match 2: Changtongya VA defeated Pangti Volleyball Team, 25-17; 25-16.
Match 3: Savage Setters defeated Twin Brothers, 25-16; 25-16.
Match 4: Longsa Sporting Association defeated United Brothers, Chakpa, 25-22; 25-9.
Match 5: Savage Setters defeated MH-10 Kohima, 20-25; 25-20; 25-20.
Match 6: Changtongya VA defeated United Brothers, Chakpa, 21-25; 25-16; 25-18.
Match 7: Ever Green Club, Ungma, defeated Twin Brothers, 25-16; 25-22.