Nagaland: Assam retains team event title at NIAPA NE Open TT

Team Assam defended its team event crown for the second consecutive time at the 5th edition of the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament 2025, held at the NIAPA Mini Stadium, Chümoukedima on Friday evening. The tournament is organized by the Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA).
In the final, Mizoram’s Jeho Himnakulpuingheta gave his side an early lead in the men’s singles. However, Assam quickly regained momentum as defending women’s singles champion Trisha Gogoi secured a crucial win. National Games bronze medallist Shankab Gautam Baruah and Agniv Bhaskar Gohain then dominated the doubles event, sealing Assam’s victory and reaffirming their status as champions of the 5th edition. Assam received a cash prize of Rs. 90,000, while runners-up Mizoram were awarded Rs. 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.
On Day 2, managing director of Okusa Toyota Nagaland, Vikheho Swu, attended as the special guest. In his address, he lauded the NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament as a meaningful platform for showcasing sporting talent across the region. He noted that Nagaland, known for its festivals, is steadily emerging as a hub for sports.
Recalling his college days, Swu highlighted the role of table tennis in building discipline, character, leadership, speed and agility. He emphasized that with proper guidance and exposure, Northeast players can excel at national and international levels. He further observed that the participation of national and international players raises the standard of competition and provides valuable learning opportunities for young athletes. Urging players to uphold sportsmanship and self-belief, he 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 December 20 with individual categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.