At 59, Vikuo Metha is proving that age and adversity need not stand in the way of staying active, as he takes part in the Kohima Masters Pickleball Championship while continuing his journey as a cancer survivor.
A former businessman and a sports enthusiast, Metha was the oldest participant in the championship, playing in the 40-plus beginners category.
Metha was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in January 2022, with the disease affecting a part of his tongue. He travelled for treatment the following month and said he was cleared of cancer this year.
His journey through illness has strengthened his determination to remain active and encourage others to take up sports.
“I am a table tennis player, but our stadium has now been dismantled. It’s under renovation. To keep myself occupied, I started playing pickleball and also wanted to encourage others to play,” Metha said.
Although he has been playing pickleball for only about three weeks, Metha has been involved in sports for decades. He has been playing badminton since the 1970s and has also been associated with table tennis.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
For Metha, sports offer much more than physical exercise.
“Through sports, you learn companionship, discipline and communication. You get to know people and make friends,” he said.
His experience with cancer has also prompted him to speak openly about the dangers of tobacco. Metha, who said he had used tobacco in the past, advised people to stay away from the habit.
“I was using tobacco and I suffered, but your family members suffer more,” he said, urging people to avoid tobacco.
Taking part in the Kohima Masters, he said, was not merely about competition but also about staying active, meeting people and inspiring others to make sports part of their lives.
The two-day Kohima Masters Pickleball Championship, organised by The Paddle Collective Kohima, began on October 2 and will end on October 3 at The Heritage Pickleball Arena. The championship features categories including Mixed Doubles Beginner, Mixed Doubles Open, Men’s Doubles Beginner and Men’s Doubles Open, with around 60 participants from Kohima and Dimapur taking part.
