The 17th inter-ward tournament began on Wednesday under the theme ‘Towards excellence’.

Organised by the Peren Town Youth Organization (PTYO), the tournament will consist of football for men, volleyball for women and Naga wrestling for children under 14. It will run from 7 to 13 December.

Azeu N Hau, personal secretary to UDA chairman and former Chief Minister T R Zeliang, was the special guest of the inaugural programme. In his speech, he encouraged the players to develop an attitude of good sportsmanship and that of a winner.

He further encouraged the players and the public in general not to give up in the first try but to have patience and keep trying in order to be successful. He said in order to success in life, one needs to have a burning desire in life to win not only in games and sports but also in life particularly.

Calling upon all players to display good sportsmanship and discipline towards each other, Hau declared the tournament open.

In the opening football match, Bana ward, the previous year’s champions, won 3-2 against Mdipuoram ward.