The 27th edition of the T20 Open Winter Cricket Challenge started with flying colours on Friday.
Held under the theme ‘Green Cover Drive’, the tournament was organised by the Senior Noble Klan (SNK) under the aegis of Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) in association with Wokha Forest Division.
The T20 Open will take place from 23 December 2022 to12 January 2023 at Local Ground, Wokha.
Hyunilo Anilo Khing, honorary secretary of NCA, graced the occasion as the special guest. He was accompanied by Kegwayhun Tep, president of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF). Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS, DC Wokha, was the special invitee.
In his speech, special guest Khing said the tournament has come a long way since it first began.
Remarking that cricket in Nagaland is still in the initial stage, he said the plan to construct concrete practice pitches in all districts and sub-divisions has been mostly covered. He further said the NCA has been partnering with schools to organise inter-school tournaments in every district.
Hyunilo Anilo Khing, honorary secretary of NCA.
Khing said sport brings people together irrespective of one’s social standing under one platform and added that it can be an avenue to bring unity.
Play, live and love the game, he told the gathering and said the experience of defeat can help push one forward. He further encouraged everyone to be committed, disciplined and sincere.
Khing said Wokha has produced nine cricket players to represent the state as well as trained coaches. Stating that it is a golden era for cricketers in the Northeast regions, he pointed out that a world class indoor practice area is at Sovima. “Come forward and build this game together in our state,” he said.
T Penthungo, president of Senior Noble Klan, informed the gathering that the SNK in has partnered with the forest department in an attempt to spread awareness about a green world among young people and will be presenting tree saplings to the winners of the Man of the Match.
T Penthungo, president of Senior Noble Klan.
Kegwayhun Tep, NSF president, encouraged all the participants of the T20 in his speech. He pointed out that despite limited facilities, the players have kept the “gentleman game” alive. He further congratulated the SNK for organising the tournament and for promoting talents.
Dewan Rai, the founder of Wokha District Cricket Association, was also felicitated during the inaugural programme.
At the 27th edition of the T20 Open Winter Cricket Challenge, there are 17 league teams taking part that includes one team each from Chümoukedima, Dimapur and Mokokchung.
The Senior Noble Klan Wokha started the Winter Cricket Challenge (WCC) in 1996 with three teams. After 26 years, the WCC has now been adopted by the Nagaland Cricket Association. From the 27th edition onwards, the Winter Cricket Challenge will now be played under the aegis of the NCA.
