Savage Setters Volleyball Club (SSVC) Chungtia produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to defeat former champions MH-10 Kohima and win the 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy before a packed stadium in Mokokchung on Friday.
Playing in only their second major tournament since the club was formed earlier this year, SSVC Chungtia overturned an early deficit to win 18-25, 12-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-12 and claim their maiden major title.
MH-10 Kohima, which had knocked out defending champions Evergreen Club Ungma in the quarterfinals before defeating rivals Changtongya Volleyball Association in the semifinals, looked firmly in control after taking the opening two sets. The side won the first set 25-18 and dominated the second 25-12, leaving SSVC Chungtia facing a straight-set defeat.
The turning point came in the third set. SSVC Chungtia stayed in contention and eventually took it 25-22, denying MH-10 the chance to close out the match. The Chungtia side carried the momentum into the fourth set and again prevailed 25-22 to force a deciding fifth set.
MH-10 served first in the decider and initially looked poised to regain control, but SSVC Chungtia held its nerve through the closing exchanges to win 15-12. The victory sparked celebrations among the large contingent of Chungtia supporters in the stands.
The title marked a rapid rise for the newly formed club, which had finished runner-up at the recently held Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy. Strengthened by players including Limatenzuk and Wonglom, SSVC Chungtia followed up that runner-up finish with its maiden major title.
Twin Brothers Volleyball Club, another team from Chungtia, also participated in the tournament, although its campaign ended in the earlier stages. Tongden Club, a regular participant in previous editions, was the other notable absence from Chungtia this year.
With Mangkolemba, Changki, Longsa, Ungma and Changtongya among the familiar names in Mokokchung’s volleyball circuit, SSVC Chungtia’s title adds a new name to the district’s competitive volleyball scene.
According to team manager Imkongnichet, SSVC Chungtia was formed earlier this year as a “permanent” club. He said the victory was particularly satisfying after the team had finished runner-up in its previous tournament, adding that winning a major title for Chungtia was a matter of pride after teams from the village had competed unsuccessfully in tournaments over the years.
Changtongya Volleyball Association defeated Unicorns Tuensang in the third-place match.
The tournament, organised by the Mokokchung District Volleyball Association, began on September 22 with 14 teams from Mokokchung, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto and Kohima districts.
The tournament carried total prize money of Rs 2.20 lakh, with the champions receiving Rs 1 lakh, runners-up Rs 70,000, third place Rs 30,000 and fourth place Rs 20,000. The individual awards for Best Spiker, Best Setter, Player of the Tournament and Emerging Player carried Rs 5,000 each.
Wonglom of SSVC Chungtia was named Best Spiker, while teammate Limatenzuk received the Best Setter award. Obika of MH-10 Kohima was named Player of the Tournament and Sentiyanger of MH-10 Kohima was adjudged Emerging Player of the Tournament.
Rural Development and SIRD Minister Metsubo Jamir, who attended the closing function as special guest, highlighted the connection between Imchaba and Dr Talimeren Ao, the first Naga Olympian and first captain of independent India’s football team.
Jamir said Imchaba belonged to a transitional period when Naga society was moving from headhunting to Christianity and modern education. His pioneering role was evident in his work at Impur Mission Training School, where he taught from 1914 to 1915 despite being a student himself, due to a shortage of qualified teachers.
He also recalled Imchaba as one of the earliest Naga players of volleyball and badminton when the games were introduced in the Naga Hills by American missionaries, noting his strong encouragement of sports among his students. Dr Talimeren Ao was among those who benefited from his encouragement.
Jamir urged young people to draw inspiration from Imchaba’s life and turn challenges into opportunities while upholding discipline, talent and unity.
The Mokokchung District Volleyball Association (MDVA), one of the district’s strongest sports associations, has been promoting volleyball both on and off the court. The 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy concluded on September 25, with SSVC Chungtia emerging as the new champions.
For the tournament, the MDVA constituted a seven-member planning committee led by Imliyanger as convener, with MDVA office bearers and the convener of the MDVA Technical Committee serving as ex-officio members. Ten sub-committees, including a Panel of Jury, worked under the planning committee with specific responsibilities.
The tournament involved 15 certified match officials and three match assistants. All matches were officiated by trained and certified officials, including linesmen, assisted by six ball boys. According to sources, the tournament had a total budget of Rs 7.65 lakh.