A tale of passionate hoopers in Chetheba

Nagaland’s very own local customised basketball board

Morung Express News
Kohima | September 17

Chetheba, a small town under Phek district made history in the local basketball scene on September 15 when it inaugurated the first customised iron board for its basketball court. To mark the occasion, a tournament was held for the Chetheba citizens where a total of 11 teams participated including three women team.

Basketball holds significance for the small town of about 1500 population where varied communities under Phek district are settled. With most of its students pursuing further studies in Kohima and Dimapur, the students often ended up developing an interest in playing basketball. When students returned to their hometown in Chetheba during winter vacations, small tournaments will be held in the town. In recent years, the town has hosted major tournaments. "We are passionate hoopers," says the Chetheba Ballers. Yet, in the absence of proper sports infrastructure, passionate players are often compelled to 'play as a recreational activity'.

The project to make an iron basketball board was initiated by the Chetheba Ballers- a group of 30 young basketball players and enthusiasts.

Chetheba Ballers came into existence during the total lockdown phase in the State. With many youths returning home including working people and students, the project to make the iron basketball board was initiated which they called it 'the lockdown project'.

"With no money or budget we started this initiative, but we ended up receiving lots of financial support from each corner of the State when we made a video on social media appealing for any concern individual to support us for the cause," states the Chetheba Ballers. The team received financial and material support from renowned personalities to total strangers who preferred to remained anonymous. Well wishers from Kerala, Gangtok, and sports team in Nagaland too pooled in.

"As per the budget, we spent around Rs 40,000 making the iron board into a reality. It was a public crowd funding and we are proud that many concerned citizens came to help us and finish the project," acknowledges the team.

As unusual as an iron basketball board may sound, the group decided that an iron basketball board will be durable and suitable for the upcoming generation which they hope will last for years. For years, basketball players in Chetheba town used a wooden board to play basketball. "Every year we come home and repair the wooden board just to play," says the team.

The team managed to purchase the iron board used for plastering of drainages from the two lane road construction company which is currently underway in their jurisdiction, and restructured it in a basketball board.

Further, with the help of an Engineer the team built the board with their own labour. The lockdown project which began in July saw its fruition in September.

"This lockdown was a good opportunity for us to make something worthwhile. The citizens of the town showed great concern while we started the project," says the team.

While Chetheba's love for the game is immense, the team mentions that its young players lack basic coaching from the grassroots, and the town is yet to witness its players representing at the state level.

"We hope that the new basketball board will encouraged the youngsters to take up basketball seriously and hope the Nagaland Basketball Association will also take interest in coaching the youngsters in our locality in the future," the team expresses with optimism.