The 31st edition of the Mokokchung District T20 Interclub Cricket Tournament commenced today at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex.

Held under the theme ‘Ignite the Passion’, the tournament is organised by the Mokokchung District Cricket Association (MDCA).

Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Shashank Pratap Singh graced the inaugural session as the chief patron.

In his brief exhortation, Singh encouraged the players to give a thought to sports as a career option. He said the cricket profession can be a viable career option citing that cricket is a popular sport played across the world with opportunities available in various roles including players, coaches, referees and support staffs and that one can create career options as well as be a part of it.

The tournament will be played between seven teams in two pools.

In Pool A, the teams are Jovial, A&K, Sovran and Zungamedem. In Pool B, the teams are Titans, Trebuchet and United Brothers.

The inaugural match saw A&K Cricket Fraternity win over Jovial.

Jovial won the toss and opted to bat scoring 129 runs in 20 overs with 6 wickets down while A&K CF ended the match short as they posted 133 runs in 13.4 overs with 3 wickets down, winning the match by 7 wickets.

A&K bowlers restricted Jovial batsman to 129/6 in 20 overs with Moatemjen taking two wickets. Moakum, with 32 runs off 24 balls, and Temjentoshi, with 22 runs off 32 balls, helped their team reach that score but it was not enough.

Menchet, scoring 68 off 39 balls, and Nripen Rai, 56 off 35 balls, were the stars as A&K chased the target in just 13.4 overs.

The cricket tournament will culminate on 16 January.