The much-anticipated 2nd Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy commenced on November 13 at the Public Ground, Changtongya Town. Organized by the Changtongya Volleyball Association, the tournament aims to honor the memory of the late Imonungba and promote sportsmanship and volleyball talent across Nagaland.
The inaugural function was graced by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), S. Supongmeren Jamir, as the Chief Guest, alongside several dignitaries and sports enthusiasts.
In his address, S. Supongmeren Jamir highlighted the importance of sports in Ao culture, particularly noting the strong volleyball tradition among the people of Changtongya in the Ongpangkong range. He expressed admiration for the skill and passion with which they play, particularly their impressive smashes, which have become widely recognized and celebrated.
Jamir praised the organizing committee, village councils, and local leaders for their dedication in honoring the legacy of Father Imonungba through this prestigious tournament. He emphasized that organizing such an event is a significant initiative, and with that importance comes the need for careful planning and execution to ensure that the tournament lives up to its name and purpose.
The MP further urged the organizers to uphold high standards, cautioning that many memorial tournaments lose momentum and fail to continue after a few years. According to Jamir, letting such events decline not only disrespects the names they honor but also risks “losing blessings.” He encouraged the organizers to approach the tournament with a vision of growth, suggesting that the long-term goal should be to raise it to world-class standards in terms of performance and infrastructure.
Jamir also highlighted the need for creating future opportunities for players, suggesting that the best players in the tournament should be given access to further advancement. He stressed the role of organizers in guiding players and promoting discipline, urging players to view this as a learning platform where they can refine their skills and aspire to become role models in the sports community.
Jamir called on everyone involved to approach the tournament with dedication and vision, making it a stepping stone for the advancement of sports in the region and a lasting tribute to Father Imonungba.
The ceremony began with an invocation led by Rev. I. Lipok, Pastor of NCRC CTN Town Centre. Mangli from APY CBC served as the chairperson for the ceremony, followed by a warm welcome address delivered by Imnatoshi, the President of CVA. An exhortation was given by Kosasanger Putu Meden from Changtongya, inspiring the players to demonstrate commitment and dedication throughout the tournament. The short speech was delivered by Temjennungsang, Chairperson of the Changtongya Town Council, who extended his support for the event and encouraged all participants to play with integrity and team spirit.
With a total of eight teams competing from November 13 to 15, the tournament will feature intense competition among the teams, divided into two pools:
Pool A: Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA), United Changki, Evergreen Club (Ungma – Blue), Longsa Sporting Club (MKG)
Pool B: Evergreen Club (Ungma – Green), MH-10, Blind Spiker, Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) Junior
The opening ceremony concluded with the Chief Guest declaring the 2nd Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy officially open, encouraging the players to embody the spirit of sportsmanship and make the event a memorable one.
