Sharingain Longkümer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, declared the tournament open.
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 9
The 5th Padmashree W. Nokdenlemba Open Volleyball Tournament, organized by the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), began on Wednesday at the Imkongmeren Multi Sports Complex, Mokokchung. The event, themed “One Team, One Spirit,” gathers teams from across Nagaland to honor the legacy of Padmashree W. Nokdenlemba, the first president of AKM, remembered for his contributions to Naga society.
The tournament was officially inaugurated by Sharingain Longkümer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, who attended as the Guest of Honour. In his speech, Longkümer expressed gratitude for being part of the event, stating that honoring Nokdenlemba was a great initiative. He praised Nokdenlemba as a man of virtue and wisdom, emphasizing that being remembered posthumously is a rare honor. Longkümer encouraged the attendees to emulate Nokdenlemba’s values and draw inspiration from his legacy.
Addressing the players, Longkümer encouraged them to embrace team spirit and sportsmanship by accepting and supporting each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He further reflected on the tournament’s theme, stating that true team spirit comes from understanding each other without words. He noted that the winning team would be the one that demonstrates this understanding, while the losing team should learn from the experience and strive for improvement.
The three-day tournament, running from October 9 to 11, features nine teams, including participants from Mokokchung town, several villages in the district, and teams from Kohima and Wokha districts. The first match, held immediately after the opening ceremony, saw United Changki triumph over Evergreen Club Ungma in a thrilling contest, with scores of 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, and 25-17.
With a total prize pool of Rs 2,40,000, the tournament promises exciting rewards. The winning team will receive Rs 1,00,000, while the runners-up will take home Rs 50,000. Both semi-finalist teams will be awarded Rs 20,000 each. Individual awards include Rs 10,000 each for Best Setter, Best Spiker, Best Libero, Player of the Tournament, and Emerging Player of the Tournament.
