The 5th NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament began on Thursday at the NIAPA Mini Stadium in Chümoukedima, with Imnalensa, DIG Border, Government of Nagaland, gracing the occasion as the special guest.
The opening ceremony commenced with a blessing by Pastor Vilopu Yeptho of Faith Baptist Church, Dimapur. The tournament was formally declared open with the ringing of the traditional gong by the special guest, marking the start of competitive play. The event is being organised by the Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA).
Addressing the inaugural programme, Imnalensa urged players to consider themselves ambassadors of table tennis and encouraged them to uphold sportsmanship, discipline and dedication. He lauded NIAPA for providing a platform to groom and nurture young talent from the region while offering exposure to higher levels of competition.
Highlighting the importance of belief, hard work and determination, he reminded the athletes that reaching the regional level itself is a significant achievement. “Win or lose, you are all champions,” he said, adding that every contest is fought twice, first in the mind and then on the table.
More than 80 players from Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura are participating in the tournament, which offers the highest cash awards in Northeast India.
In the Veteran Doubles category, Mizoram’s Laishram Bikram Singh and Meisanam Basantakumar Singh defeated Assam’s Soneswar Deka and Anuram Sinha to clinch the Masters Doubles (40+) title. The winners received Rs 15,000, while the runners-up took home Rs 12,000. Losing semifinalists Moa Lemtor and Juthsutho Phoji, and Neitsilie Meru and Bengdang Longkumer, were awarded Rs 4,000 each.
In the Best Duo of Nagaland category, Kanish Jain and Hekito Sema will face Visasier Kevichusa and L David in the final on the concluding day.
The tournament continues on Day 2 with team events and Under-21 matches.