The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Longsa Sports Association, held in conjunction with the 50th Imtimeren Memorial Open Volleyball Tournament 2026, kicked off under the theme “To foster the young generation” on Thursday January 8 at Salang Lenden, Longsa village under Mokokchung district. The two-day tournament, organised under the theme “To Foster the Young Generation,” is open to Naga teams from across Nagaland and is being conducted on January 8 and 9.
A total of eight teams are participating in the tournament, namely Longsa Eagle Club, Lions Club Longsa A, Lions Club Longsa B, Friends Spikers, Fighting Peace, Longsa Citizen Club, United Young Club Moalenden, and Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA).
The opening special guest of the tournament was Metsübo Jamir, Minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Government of Nagaland.
Metsubo Jamir, in his address, said that the tournament has served as an important platform for players to showcase their talents, perform to their best abilities, and compete in a healthy sporting spirit. He encouraged the players to play with skill and commitment, noting that while there will always be winning and losing teams, consistent performance in every match is what truly matters. He added that the way players perform can inspire spectators and younger players alike.
Highlighting the importance of unity, Jamir said that unity within a team creates lasting memories and strong bonds. He reminded the players that they may be teammates today and opponents tomorrow, and therefore urged them to maintain friendship, unity, and mutual respect regardless of where they play from.
Recalling late Imtimeren, Jamir described him as an all-rounder and a person with a memorable personality. He said that those who had met late Imtimeren would not forget him, and noted that launching and investing in such a tournament during his time was a significant contribution for the village and beyond. He added that the gathering today stands as a continuation of the vision and effort initiated by late Imtimeren.
Jamir also acknowledged the organising committee of LSA and the Longsa Village Council for their mutual support and cooperation in sustaining the tournament, which is celebrating its 50th year. Emphasising the need for continuity, he acknowledged the suggestion of creating a corpus fund to ensure the future of the tournament and expressed his willingness to contribute. He further stated that such initiatives should not be limited to volleyball alone but extended to other sports such as badminton and football, which would be beneficial for the community and players.
As a gesture of encouragement for all the teams, Metsübo Jamir extended financial support of ₹5,000 each to all the participating teams.
Matches commenced after the inaugural programme. In the opening match of the tournament, Lions Club Longsa registered a straight-sets victory, winning the match 25–17 and 25–22.
The second match was played between Fighting Peace and Longsa Citizen Club, in which Fighting Peace secured a convincing straight-sets win with scores of 25–9 and 25–14.
The third match of the day saw Lions Club Longsa A take on Friends Spikers. After dropping the first set 23–25, Lions Club Longsa A made a strong comeback to win the next two sets 25–15 and 25–17, thereby clinching the deciding match.
The champions of the tournament will receive a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, while the first runners-up will be awarded ₹60,000. The losing semi-finalists will receive ₹20,000 each. In addition, visiting teams are entitled to a travelling allowance of ₹5,000 each. Individual prizes of ₹5,000 each will be awarded for Best Player, Best Spiker, Best Setter, and Best Libero.
Teams from various parts of the state are participating in the tournament as the event marks fifty years of the Longsa Sports Association and continues the legacy of late Imtimeren.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The opening ceremony began with a display by the Youth Ministry of Longsa Baptist Church (LBC). The invocation was offered by Wapang, Associate Pastor, LBC, followed by a welcome address delivered by the President of the Longsa Sports Association. An acknowledgement of the sponsor’s family of the Imtimeren Memorial Open Volleyball Tournament was also made during the programme. A melody was presented by Limasenla, while an exhortation was delivered by Bendangwati Tatar. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by the Chief Referee.
S. Supongmeren Jamir, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha will grace day 2 event as the closing ceremony guest.
Late T. Imtimeren Jamir was a prominent public figure, writer, and politician whose vision and commitment to society continue to be remembered through the trophy tournament he initiated, which is being conducted to this day.
Born on April 24, 1937, to Temjenliba Jamir and Amongla Longkumer, he grew up in Longsa village. An early riser with a keen and inquisitive mind, he had diverse interests from a young age, including a fondness for chess and football. He pursued his schooling in Tuensang, Guwahati, and Imphal, before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung.
Encouraged by leaders including A. Kevichusa, he entered active politics in 1964. He was first elected unopposed to the 1st Nagaland Legislative Assembly from the Mongoya Constituency in a bye-election. Over the years, he served the state in various capacities, being elected multiple times to the Assembly and holding key responsibilities such as Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Chairman of the Estimates Committee, and Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, later serving as Minister of Industries and Commerce.
His vision for Mokokchung and the region remained only partially fulfilled due to his untimely demise on August 2, 1998, following a brief illness. However, his legacy lives on through his contributions to public life, literature, and sports, particularly through the trophy tournament he initiated, which continues to be organised in his memory.
