The 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2026, organised by the Mokokchung District Volleyball Association (MDVA), got underway on Tuesday at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Mokokchung.
The tournament was inaugurated by Imkongchuba A, Chairman, Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), as the Guest of Honour.
The tournament features 14 teams, divided into four pools, with Pool A comprising Pangti Volleyball Team, Longsa Sports Association, Bokato Memorial Team and Chienino Brothers Kiruphema; Pool B comprising Changtongya Volleyball Association, Twin Brothers Chungtia, Unicorns Tuensang and Zenith Pughoboto; Pool C comprising Phoenix Club, Evergreen Club Ungma and Savage Setters Volleyball Club Chungtia; and Pool D comprising Yangs Brother, Khangshang Volleyball Academy and MH-10 Kohima. The tournament will conclude on 25th September.
Over the past 18 editions, the Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy has seen a rich line of champions. The title has been won by Dilong Ward, Longsa Team, Longsa Sporting Association (twice), Longsa Sports Association (twice), Longsa Sporting Association A, Lenzung Club, Changtongya, Sporting Club, Mangkolemba (twice), Adventure Club, Changtongya, Lakhuni Sporting Club B, Sakutemjen Memorial Club, Chungtiayimsen (twice), Changtongya Volleyball Association, MH-10, Kohima (twice), Ozumi Volleyball Team, and Evergreen Club, Ungma.
This 19th edition also features the defending champions Evergreen Club, Ungma, while MH-10 Kohima entered the competition as the previous runners-up. MH-10 Kohima has also enjoyed a strong record in the tournament, having won the coveted title two to three times in previous editions.
Pangti overcome Longsa in opener
In the opening match of the tournament, Pangti Volleyball Team defeated Longsa Sports Association in straight sets.
Longsa put up a competitive fight in the opening set, but Pangti eventually prevailed 27-25. Pangti then secured the second set 25-17 to register a 2-0 victory.
Changtongya beat Twin Brothers
In the second match, Changtongya Volleyball Association defeated Twin Brothers, Chungtia, also in straight sets.
Changtongya controlled the opening set 25-18 before taking the second set 25-21 to seal the match 2-0.
Bokato Memorial Team secure straight-set win
The third match saw Bokato Memorial Team take on Chienino Brothers Kiruphema.
Bokato dominated both sets, winning the first 25-15 and the second 25-16, to register another straight-set victory.
Unicorns dominate Zenith
In the fourth match, Unicorns, Tuensang recorded a convincing victory over Zenith, Pughoboto.
Unicorns cruised through the opening set 25-9 before wrapping up the second 25-21 to win the match 2-0.
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Defending champions Evergreen Club begin title defence with win
In the fifth and final match of the day, defending champions Evergreen Club, Ungma, began their title defence on a winning note by defeating Phoenix Club in straight sets.
Evergreen took the first set 25-16 and followed it up with a 25-22 victory in the second to complete a 2-0 win.
Thus, Pangti Volleyball Team, Changtongya Volleyball Association, Bokato Memorial Team, Unicorns Tuensang and Evergreen Club Ungma emerged victorious on the opening day.
The tournament offers a substantial prize pool, with the Champion set to receive ₹1,00,000, while the Runner-up will receive ₹70,000. The third-place team will receive ₹30,000 and the fourth-place team ₹20,000.
Individual awards include Best Spiker – ₹5,000, Best Setter – ₹5,000, Player of the Tournament – ₹45,000, and Emerging Player – ₹25,000.
In addition, a participation grant of ₹5,000 will be provided to each of the 14 participating teams.
The tournament is being conducted with the objective of promoting volleyball, providing competitive exposure to players and carrying forward the legacy associated with Late Imchaba Master.
In his address, Imkongchuba A paid tribute to Late Imchaba Master, whose name the tournament carries, recalling his contribution to education, faith, sports and social life. He said Imchaba Master was remembered for his honesty, sincerity and strict discipline, and for shaping the character of young people through education, manual work, sports and Christian teaching.
He noted that although Imchaba Master passed away in 1948, his legacy continues to inspire generations, saying that a person’s life is measured not only by the years lived but also by what continues to live through the people and institutions influenced by that life.
He highlighted that the tournament began in 2003 as the Imchaba Master Memorial Champion’s Trophy, initially restricted to teams within Mokokchung district. In 2009, it was renamed the Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy, opening participation to teams from across Nagaland. The ongoing edition marks its 19th edition.
Describing the tournament’s growth as an example of how small beginnings can develop into meaningful institutions, he said there remains an aspiration to eventually elevate the competition into a North-East Open tournament.
He also pointed out that the tournament has provided a platform for players, coaches and referees, with some players who distinguished themselves through the competition subsequently securing employment in the Police, Sports Department and Central Paramilitary Forces.
He urged players to compete with determination while respecting their opponents, stressing that winning should be accompanied by humility and defeat accepted with dignity.
“The true legacy of a person is not what he leaves behind for others, but what he leaves within others,” he said, while calling upon the participants and organisers to carry forward the values associated with Imchaba Master.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Pretty Tzüdir, while Imliwati Aier, Youth Evangelist, MTBA, delivered the invocation and Imliyanger, Convenor, Planning Committee, delivered the welcome address.
