The 46th Li- Ning Inter District & State Open Badminton Championship culminated at Police Complex, Chümoukedima on Saturday with Mokokchung District emerging as the Overall Champion, DIPR informed.

Gracing the closing ceremony as a Special Guest, DGP, Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, IPS asserted that the Nagaland Police has always been at the forefront in promoting sports in Nagaland. He said that sports is not about just winning but it is more about learning to be defeated and emphasised on maintaining the spirit of competition.

Expressing hope that the sports infrastructure in Nagaland would improve in the coming days, Sharma also suggested exposure for the athletes to neighbouring states.

During his Presidential Address, Kesonyu Yhome, IAS said that the Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) has been organising the event annually to provide a platform for the athletes to compete and showcase their talents. He informed that this year, NBA has consciously segregated the Seniors and the Under- 19 categories from the U-15 and below categories which will be organised at a later date this year to ensure that dedicated attention to these groups of young athletes and their activities are given.

Yhome pointed out that the only way to put players in the national and international platform is to identify the young players and mould and groom them in their formative years with extreme dedication and commitment. Sheer hard work, personal discipline and relentless practice and perseverance with proper guidance and training have taken them to the levels they have reached today, he said.

He informed that the NBA is contemplating to collaborate with reputed training centres and academies both within and outside the State for promising young players. He called upon everyone to collectively come together and work hard to take the sport to higher levels. Yhome thanked the host team, Nagaland Police under the aegis of the DGP; the core team and all the Unit Commandants and personnel involved for putting up a great show and providing with all the facilities and arrangements in a very short period of time. He also extended his appreciation to all the volunteers, technical officials, NBA colleagues and the players for making the 46th Open State Championship a success.

The program was chaired by commandant, NAPTC, Ben Longkumer, NPS. Welcome address was delivered by Dy. Inspector General of Police (Trg) & Convener, Organizing Committee, Imnalensa, IPS while concluding remarks was shared by Vice president, NBA, Er. Kasho Chishi.

The winners of the competition are as follows:

Senior Mens Singles:

Winner – Riku Khape (Dimapur)

Runner’s up – Hariom Dulait (Chümoukedima)

Senior Womens Single:

Winner – Leimapokpam Diana (Chümoukedima)

Runner’s up – Mepulila Jamir (Mokokchung)

Mens Doubles:

Winner – Teichang Herie and Peramrisi Zeliang (Peren)

Runner’s up – Vikhietuo Kense and Hitto Swu (Kohima/ Shamator)

Women Double:

Winner – Leimapokpam Diana and Huidrom Vilinda (Chümoukedima)

Runner’s up- Shekhotolu Puro and Tovali Shohel (Dimapur)

Mixed Double:

Winner – Peramrisi Zeliang (Peren) and Debahuti Lahon (Kohima)

Runner’s up – Riku Khape (Dimapur) and Bendangnaro (Nagaland Police)

Under- 19 Single Boys:

Winner- Yhonenba (Mokokchung)

Runner’s up- Heloka Sw (Niuland)

Under-19 single Girls:

Winner – A. Ponlih Konyak (Mon)

Runner’s up – Imlikumla Imsong (Mokokchung)

Under -19 Double Boys:

Winner – Karan Kumar and Heloka Swu (Niuland)

Runner’s up – Bovi k Chishi and Nchatu Herie (Dimapur/ Peren)

Under -19 Double Girls: 

Winner – Imlikumla Imsong (Mokokchung) and Kipangwala (Dimapur)

Runners up – Tanisha Gurung and Lhouvisanuo Solo (Mon)