Mokokchung, 6 August (MTNews): The Nagaland sub-junior boys’ team ended their campaign at the 48th Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship 2023, losing all its group matches.
As per reports received here, Nagaland lost its first match against a strong Jharkhand team 65-18. In their second match, despite an improved performance, they lost to neighbors Assam 51-30. They had drawn Delhi in their last match yesterday and put up a strong fight against them, only to lose 26-37.
“Despite these defeats, this championship was a good learning experience for the team from Nagaland,” a Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) official said.
Coach Chumbenthung Humtsoe said, “This championship was a very challenging one, traveling all the way down South to participate in the event. After reaching the venue, it took us an entire day to complete the verification process, and immediately play our first match. The first match didn’t go as expected because the players were exhausted. But in the next two matches, the boys fought hard, even though we didn’t win. With all these experiences and learning, I believe the boys will work harder, rectify mistakes and come out stronger in future tournaments.”
One of the youngest players of the championship and the cynosure of all eyes, Bendangmoa Jamir commented, “I keenly watched the other teams and learnt a lot from their players about shooting and defence. I will work hard once I go home, and become a better player.”
Team captain Vikibe Roy stated, “I was nervous initially, but as the team captain I had had to settle down and lift the spirits of my team members. Personally, this event was a good learning experience for me, as a leader and player.”
The Naga Christian Fellowship Puducherry led by Pastor Kekuozelie vociferously supported the boys throughout the games. He mentioned, “NBSE should try to put sports as a major curriculum in the course and let these kinds of opportunities add to their grades, and in future we will have good players.”
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