The All Nagaland Volleyball Championship 2025, the first edition organised by LL Group and managed by Nakzoer, is underway at the Aliba Village Playground, Mokokchung, from November 4. The three-day event will conclude on November 6. A total of 18 teams from across the state are competing under the theme “In Pursuit of Excellence.”

The tournament Is being played in a league-cum-knockout format. The 18 participating teams have been divided into four pools, with Pools A and B consisting of five teams each, and Pools C and D comprising four teams each.

Pool A includes Changtongya Volleyball Association, Fabled United – Dimapur, Fly High – Tuensang, Twin Brothers, and Spardoon Club.

Pool B consists of Vision – Niuland, Spike Tribe – Pughoboto, Friends Club, Set Stars – Dimapur, and MH-10 – Kohima.

Pool C features Blind Spikers – LL Group Dimapur, Tongden Club – Chungtia, Town Club – Mangkolemba, and Ace Club – Dimapur.

Pool D comprises Defying Gravity – Ghaspani, The Chester’s Club – Akuluto, Pangti Volleyball Club – Wokha, and The Rebels – Settsu.

The champions of the tournament will be awarded a cash prize of ₹1.20 lakh, while the runners-up will receive ₹80,000. The third-place and fourth-place teams will be awarded ₹60,000 and ₹40,000 respectively. Individual recognitions include awards for Best Spiker, Best Setter, Player of the Tournament, and Emerging Player of the Tournament, each carrying a cash prize of ₹5,000. Additionally, Player of the Match cash awards will be presented from the knockout stages onwards.

The opening match was played between Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) and Fabled United Dimapur, where CVA defeated Fabled United in straight sets 25-14, 25-15, while Spike Tribe edged past Vision Niuland in a close 2-1 encounter (21-25, 25-21, 17-15). Twins Brothers registered a straight-set win over Fly High Tuensang (25-16, 27-25), and Set Stars Dimapur prevailed over Friends Club after a thrilling three-setter (30-32, 25-16, 17-15). Blind Spikers LL Group overpowered Tongden Chub Chungtia 25-15, 25-11, whereas The Chester’s Club Akuluto came from behind to beat Defying Gravity Ghaspani 21-25, 25-19, 17-15. CVA continued their winning streak with another straight-set victory over Spardoon Club (25-22, 25-15), and MH-10 Kohima defeated Vision Niuland 25-16, 25-21. Town Club Mangkolemba edged Ace Club Dimapur 2-1 (20-25, 25-19, 15-5), followed by Pangti Volleyball Club Wokha’s hard-fought win over The Rebels Settsü (22-25, 25-15, 15-13).

Fly High Tuensang bounced back to beat Fabled United Dimapur 25-14, 25-16, while Spike Tribe Pughoboto outplayed Friends Club 23-25, 25-23, 15-8. Town Club Mangkolemba continued their fine form with a straight-set win over Tongden Chub Chungtia (25-6, 25-19), and Pangti Volleyball Club Wokha downed The Chester’s Club Akuluto 25-18, 25-23.

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Spardoon Club defeated Twins Brothers 25-21, 25-21, while MH-10 Kohima trounced Set Stars Dimapur 25-16, 25-12. CVA maintained dominance with another straight-set victory over Fly High Tuensang (25-15, 25-14), Vision Niuland beat Friends Club 25-16, 25-21, and Town Club Mangkolemba outclassed Blind Spikers LL Group 25-23, 26-24. Rounding off the day, Pangti Volleyball Club Wokha continued their unbeaten run, defeating Defying Gravity Ghaspani 25-15, 25-20, while Twins Brothers overpowered Fabled United Dimapur 25-16, 25-16.

A total of 32 league matches are being played simultaneously on two courts in a best-of-three sets format until day two of the tournament, while the final day is reserved for the knockout stage.

During the inaugural program, Guest of Honour, Wabang Kichu, in his address, expressed his appreciation to all the players participating from across the state. He remarked that volleyball has become one of the most loved sports in Nagaland, describing it as a versatile and adaptable game well-suited to the State’s hilly terrain.

He noted that, unlike football or cricket which require large playgrounds and costly equipment, volleyball can be played with minimal space and simple resources—just a ball and a net, even barefooted. This accessibility, he said, makes it possible to nurture many young talents.

Encouraging the players, Kichu said, “Champions are made in the trenches and not on the sidelines.” He emphasized that success in sports comes through hard work, regular practice, consistency, and discipline, which together refine both the player and the game.

Short speeches were also delivered by Tatongkaba Pongen, Chairman, Aliba Village Council, and Pokyim Jamir, President, Mokokchung District Volleyball Association, followed by the administration of the players’ oath by the Technical Committee.  Imkong L Imchen, MLA and Advisor for IPR and Soil & Water Conservation, will graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest on November 6.