The 2nd Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Tournament kicked off today at the Public Ground in Changtongya town. Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, Nagaland MP Supongmeren Jamir emphasized the importance of organizing memorial tournaments, noting that they inspire organizers to give their best efforts and avoid future failure.
Jamir stated that naming the event as Nagaland Open Volleyball Tournament carries a significant responsibility. “If we let this event fail, it will become a burden not just for the organizers, but for the entire town and its citizens,” he cautioned.
He also pointed out that many tournaments and trophies started with the phrase “in memory of” but have lost their momentum over time. “If we allow this event to fail, it will not only be a loss for us but also a lost blessing for the community,” he remarked.
Jamir encouraged both the organizers and players to aim higher. “Though we are playing on a football ground today, our goal should be to eventually play on world-class volleyball courts. This should be our objective,” he said.
He urged the organizers to create a vision for the players’ future, ensuring that their talents are nurtured and given a clear path forward.
He also highlighted the importance of helping players see volleyball as a potential career. “Players should consider whether they can make a livelihood from the sport and aspire to become respected professionals,” he added.
A total of eight teams are participating in the tournament scheduled to conclude on November 15. Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA), United Changki, Evergreen Club Ungma (Blue), and Longsa Sporting Club are grouped in Pool-A while Evergreen Club Ungma (Green), MH-10, Blind Spiker and CVA Junior are grouped in Pool-B.