DIG (Border) Imnalensa with organisers and others at the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament in Chümoukedima on December 18.
CHÜMOUKEDIMA, DECEMBER 18 (MExN): The 5th NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament commenced on Thursday at the NIAPA Mini Stadium, Chümoukedima.
Imnalensa, DIG (Border), Government of Nagaland, graced the inaugural ceremony as the special guest. The tournament is being organised by the Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA).
Addressing the inaugural programme, Imnalensa urged the players to consider themselves ambassadors of table tennis and encouraged them to uphold sportsmanship, discipline and dedication. He lauded NIAPA for providing a valuable platform to groom and nurture young talent from the region while also offering exposure to higher levels of competition.
Emphasising the importance of belief, hard work and determination, he reminded the athletes that reaching the regional level itself is a significant achievement. He encouraged the players to compete fearlessly, respect their opponents and the rules of the game, and cherish every moment of the tournament. “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 championship, making it one of the most competitive table tennis events in the region. Notably, the NIAPA Northeast Open offers the highest cash awards in Northeast India, reinforcing its status as a premier tournament.
In the Veteran Doubles category, Mizoram’s Laishram Bikram Singh and Meisanam Basantakumar Singh defeated Assam’s Soneswar Deka and Anuram Sinha in the final to clinch the Masters Doubles (40+) title.
The winning Mizoram duo received Rs 15,000 along with citations, while the runners-up from Assam took home Rs 12,000.
The final witnessed intense competition, with sets decided by fine margins. Mizoram won the opening set 11–6, Assam bounced back to take the second set 11–6, but Mizoram responded strongly by winning the next two sets 11–3 and 11–8 to seal the match.
The 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 match on the concluding day of the championship. Day two of the tournament on December 19 will feature team events and the Under-21 category.
