FOOTBALL: NAGALAND BEAT TRIPURA 1-0; SHOCK DEFEAT FOR MEGHALAYA AND MANIPUR IN OPENER
The 3rd North East Games 2024 commenced on Tuesday showcasing a myriad of sports including football, volleyball, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, pencak silat, sepaktakraw, table tennis, wushu and lawn tennis. On day one, host Nagaland led the medal tally with a total of 17 medals (8 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze).
FOOTBALL: In football (Group –A) played at NAPTC ground, Chumoukedima, Nagaland defeated Tripura 1-0 in a thrilling encounter.
The lone goal for the host was scored by Surhosol Angami in the 83rd minute.
Nagaland will next play Arunachal on Wednesday at 3 pm.
In another Group-A match, Arunachal Pradesh stunned Meghalaya 2-1.
Meanwhile, in Group-B opening match, Mizoram blanked Manipur 4-0.
VOLLEYBALL: The 3rd Northeast Games 2024 Volleyball (Men’s) event commenced at Shooting Complex, Sovima, Chumoukedima on Tuesday. In the opening first league match, Assam beat Sikkim in straight sets 27-25, 25-15, 25-15.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by advisor and former president of Nagaland Volleyball Association, H.K. Khulu.
In his speech, Khulu said Northeast lacked in terms of sports infrastructure but over the years, the region has produced many sportspersons and the quality of the games have improved. He said the region has many talented sportspersons that had excelled not only in the national level but also in international level, which shows that the region can achieve many more and can achieve as powerhouse in sports.
He therefore, encouraged the participants to strive, excel and put their names firmly on national and international level reminding them that there was no reason why they cannot succeed. Khulu further described Sports as a medium through which people can be unified and encouraged all the participating teams to uphold the values of fair play, compete with passion and embody the spirit of unity and uniqueness.
Earlier, in his presidential address, Nagaland Volleyball Association president, N. Jacob Yanthan, described volleyball not just a game of strength and agility, “but a dance of coordination and a test of teamwork and strategy”.
He expressed the hope that North East Games 2024 will be a platform for showcasing the rich tapestry of the cultural heritage and the boundless potential of the youth.
Yanthan said that the event was not just a celebration of athletic prowess but a testament to the indomitable spirit and unity of Northeastern States.
He therefore encouraged the participating states to carry the aspirations of the entire region and perform to the best of their abilities and bring honour to the States and communities.
Yanthan also thanked chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association, secretary general NOA, Abu Metha and Northeast Sports Association for inclusion of volleyball in the NEG 2024.
Highlights of the programme included invocation by Chaplain Nagaland, pastor Visasier Kevichusa and special number presented by Meribeni Patton. The volleyball event is organized by Nagaland Volleyball Association under the aegis of Nagaland Olympic Association.
Wushu: The Wushu competition for the Northeast Games 2024 commenced at the Sovima Futsal ground on Tuesday. A total of 58 participants from Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and including Nagaland are taking part in the championship.
With 10 gold medals up for grabs in the 10 categories for this sporting discipline, the Nagaland Wushu team is still in contention to win at least six medals, while the women’s fighters have to settle for two bronze after losing their respective semifinal matches.
Earlier, Sovima VCC chairman Sebastian Zumvu attended the inaugural programme as the inaugural guest, invocation was offered by pastor of Seluophe Baptist Church, Musilo Nusory, and welcome address by general secretary of NWA, Vekhozo. The Wushu competition will conclude on Wednesday evening at 4 pm, with treasurer of the Nagaland Olympic Association, Neiyalie Angami, to grace the closing ceremony as the guest of honor.