25th Inter District & State Table Tennis Championship 2022 in Kohima underway

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 5

A four-day long 25th Inter District and State Table Tennis Championship 2022 in commemoration with 50 years of Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA) got underway at Indoor TT Stadium, Kohima on October 4.

12 districts- Kohima, Zunheboto, Chümoükedima, Niuland, Mokokchung, Mon, Tseminyu, Wokha, Phek, Peren, Tuensang and Dimapur have registered for this championship, which will continue till October 7.

Around 200 participants will compete in Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, Under 17 boys Singles, Under 17 boys Doubles, Under 17 Girls Singles, Under 17 Girls Doubles, Women's Singles, Women's Doubles, Under 13 Boys Singles, Under 13 Girls Singles, Veteran 40+ Men's Singles, Veteran 40+ Men's Doubles, Veteran 50+ Men's Singles and Mixed Doubles.

This year, the team championship trophy for Men’s and Women's was donated by family of Late Nizheto Awomi and Late Thepuroko Sothu, who were former Champions.

The cash prizes have also been sponsored by former or senior players.

‘Naga youth can do well’
Gracing the inaugural function as the special guest on October 4, Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports, Advisor Er Zale Neikha said that Table Tennis is certainly a sport for all and a sport for life.

“It is particularly good for developing alertness and co-ordination. An intense game can stimulate mental alertness and concentration and develop mental acuity,” he said adding that in a long run, one’s active participation and continued participation in sports would pay rich dividends in terms of fitness, well being and happiness.

Er Neikha said that there are many benefits of being as sportsperson, adding “it gives you the confidence, strength and enhance physical productivity. Sports teach us how to work in harmony with other people, accept defeat with equal ease and work as a consolidated unit.”

Winning and losing in sports is a part of the game, but the happiness originating from the participation in sports is highly cherished trophy, the advisor said.

Er Neikha maintained that Naga youth can do well in indoor games like, Table Tennis, Sepaktakraw, badminton, boxing etc.

“If given a certain amount of dedication, determination, discipline and training at grassroot level from young age, then I am confident that you will be a renowned international rising star with young youths following your footstep,” he said.

He was optimistic that this championship will facilitate many youth to shine at national and international level of Table Tennis in the coming days.

Earlier, NTTA President Swelül Pucho delivered welcome address while Souvenir Committee convenor Vitho Neikha highlighted “50 Years of NTTA– A Synopsis.” The inaugural function was compered by Kethose Chüzo.