A candlelight vigil was organised on Tuesday evening at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) Basketball Court, Wokha Town, in loving memory of Late Vihozhonu Zao, a promising young basketball player whose tragic death has left the sports community in deep shock and grief.
The programme, chaired by Mhabemo E Murry, General Secretary of the Wokha District Basketball Association (WDBA), began with an invocation by Rev Fr Stephen, Principal of DBHSS Wokha, followed by the lighting of candles in tribute to the departed.
Delivering a condolence message, M Renthungo Mozhui, President of WDBA, expressed deep sorrow over the untimely demise of Vihozhonu Zao, describing her as a rising basketball talent in her early twenties whose commitment and passion for the game had inspired many.
He stated that Vihozhonu Zao’s body was discovered under suspicious circumstances. “We are deeply shocked and outraged by this brutal and senseless act which has robbed our community of a young life filled with hope and promise,” he said.
Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, Mozhui urged the concerned authorities to conduct a swift and impartial investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay. “This heinous act is not only an attack on an individual but also on the very spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, and hope that she embodied,” he added.
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He further called upon the sports fraternity and the public to stand united against such acts of violence and to work towards creating a society where every young person can pursue their dreams safely and fearlessly.
The gathering joined in the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ presented by Nchumbemo Patton, which added a solemn and reflective tone to the evening. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the Chairperson.
Family members, friends, teammates, coaches, and well-wishers attended the vigil to pay tribute to the late Vihozhonu Zao, remembering her as a talented and dedicated athlete whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
