Changtongya Volleyball Association ‘A’ (CVA) are the champions of the first edition of the Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2022.
The final match, played at Public Ground, Changtongya on 10 November, saw CVA ‘A’ facing MH-10 Kohima Senior once more; this was the third encounter between the two teams in a final match this year.
MH-10 and CVA ‘A’ had faced each other earlier at the finals of the 15th Master Imchaba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy in September and the Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy 2022 in October. On both occasions, MH-10 emerged as the winner.
Read more: MH-10 wins the 15th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2022
Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy 2022 ends with victory for MH-10, Kohima
However, CVA ‘A’ turned the tables in the intense final match of the Imonungba Memorial tournament, defeating powerhouse MH-10 with a score line of 39-37; 25-22; 18-25; 25-21.
The closing ceremony was graced by Mayang Lima, Upa-Lokayukta, Nagaland. In his speech, he appreciated all the teams that had participated in the tournament and added that he looked forward to more teams participating in the future.
Lima said even as we witness the industrialisation of a growing global world, team work is the greatest component of every game. He encouraged the players to adapt the various developments taking place and mark their spot in this competitive world.
Acknowledging the two finalists and all the teams who participated in the tournament, he encouraged all the players to practice consistently with the spirit of sportsmanship, maintain discipline and make use of their talents wisely so that valuable players can emerge from the state.
The closing ceremony was chaired by Imkongchuba with the invocation delivered by Rev I Wati, Pastor CBC. A special number was presented by Y Atula followed by a vote of thanks by Imsuyanger, the convenor of the Organising Committee.
The Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2022 was organised by the Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) in memory of Late Imonungba Jamir, who was an ace volleyball captain from Changtongya Volleyball Team.
The tournament, sponsored by Lenjeter, a monthly Ao vernacular magazine, began on 9 November with an inaugural programme in which the chief guest was Imnatiba Jamir, MLA & Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland.
In his address, Jamir stated that the Rio government is trying its best to promote sport and to encourage the youths to participate in state and national level tournaments. The MLA also lauded CVA and the sponsors for organising the tournament and for bringing happiness through sports.
During the inaugural programme, Yanbemo Humtsoe, General Secretary (Technical), Nagaland Volleyball Association (NVA) informed that NVA, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, would be organising the 1st Nagaland Open Volleyball Championship for both men and women in Kohima this year.
The event is set to take place on 16 and 17 November, he said and encouraged the teams in attendance to register for the championship.
The Imonungba Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2022 had featured 11 teams from different districts.
Matches in progress on 9 and 10 September.
The two-day volleyball tourney was first played in league format across four pools. The top teams from each group then qualified for the knockout stages.
With the league matches and the quarter-finals taking place on 9 September, the semis were played in the morning hours of 10 September followed by the final match at 5pm the same day.
During the closing ceremony, the champions CVA ‘A’ received the trophy along with citations and a monetary award of Rs 80,000.
Runners up MH-10 Senior received citations and a monetary award of Rs 40,000.
The two semi-finalists, MH-10 Junior and Tuli Volleyball Team, received monetary awards of Rs 10,000 each.
Awards for individual achievements during the tournament were also presented during the closing ceremony.
The awards went to:
Sarilepzung, CVA’A’ – Best Setter
Imkongsanen, CVA ‘A’ – Best Spiker
Temsülong Walling, Yimyu – Best Libero
Ahika Yepthomi, MH-10 Senior –Player of the Tournament
