Team Assam retained the team event title for the second consecutive time in the 5th edition of the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament 2025 at the NIAPA Mini Stadium, Chümoukedima, on Friday evening.

The tournament is being organized by the Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA).

In the final, Jeho Himnakulpuingheta gave Mizoram a strong start in the men’s singles, but it was not enough as Trisha Gogoi, the defending champion from Assam, seized the opportunity to give Assam the upper hand in the women’s singles. Led by National Games bronze medallist, Shankab Gautam Baruah and Agniv Bhaskar Gohain, the Assam team went on to dominate the doubles event, confirming their status as defending champions of the 5th edition.

The Assam team received a cash prize of ₹90,000, while runners-up Mizoram were awarded ₹50,000. The team event featured singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches, with six teams—Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and the NIAPA team—competing.

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On Day 2 of the tournament, Vikheho Swu, Managing Director of Okusa Toyota Nagaland, graced the occasion as the special guest during the evening session. In his address, he said the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament has emerged as a meaningful platform for showcasing sporting talent from across the Northeast. He stated that Nagaland is not only known for its festivals but is also steadily emerging as a hub for sports in the region.

Recalling his college days, Swu highlighted the role of sports such as table tennis in building discipline, character, leadership, speed, and agility. He emphasized that with proper guidance and exposure, players from the Northeast can excel at national and international levels.

He further noted that the presence of national and international players raises the standard of competition and provides valuable learning experiences for young athletes. Urging players to uphold sportsmanship and self-belief, Swu advised them to remain grounded and manage success responsibly, adding that win or lose, the tournament would help them grow stronger and wiser.

The tournament will continue on Day 3 (December 20) with individual categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.