Christmas Volleyball Championship, Thang Range (men & women) commenced today at Buchesouh Ground, Noklak.

The championship was organised by Nyunglam Hoikam under the theme ‘Promoting Social Cohesion through sports’.

The special guest of the inaugural programme was K Mhathung Tsanglao, Deputy Commissioner, Noklak while the guest of honour was T Musho Lam, president of Khiamniungan Sports Council (KSC), Noklak.

The DC, in his speech, applauded the district for making a big mark in the field of sports despite being a very young district. He urged the KSC to raise true sportsmen and sportswomen after wise evaluation in every aspect.

K Mhathung Tsanglao, Deputy Commissioner, Noklak.

Tsanglao stated that sports is not just a matter of hobby but rather it is an industry which serves an opportunity for sustaining a livelihood.

Quoting ‘An idle mind is a devil’s workshop’, he said sports is one activity to fight against drug addiction. He further encouraged the players to uplift one another. Team spirit and understanding will lead to victory, the DC said.

Musho Lam said with the world becoming more competitive, there is no place for idle people. While observing the sad reality of some of the youths indulging in malpractices, the KSC president also brought out the brighter side by stating that some youths have enabled the district to rank fourth in the recent Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2022 despite participating in only six out of the 11 featured disciplines. He said this proved that the district is not “backward” as is often referred to.

Musho Lam, Khiamniungan Sports Council president.

Lam further added that discipline is the main tool for sportspersons in order to excel.

The general secretary of Thang Range Public Organization, L Chillia, appreciated the youths for prioritizing sports unlike in the past days. He stated that it is through sports that unity is learnt and physical well-being maintained. He further encouraged the youths to take up at least one sports discipline.

L Chillia, general secretary of Thang Range Public Organization.

The players, despite the disruptions of the chilly rain, pushed forward in the game showing true sportsmanship spirit while the spectators cheered enthusiastically for the teams they supported.

The volleyball championship will continue till 25 December during which the final match will be played. Individual awards in the category of Best Striker (men), Best Player (men) and Best Discipline (women) will also be handed out on the final day.

Altogether, 13 teams comprising of four women teams and nine men teams are taking part in the championship.