The 35th Nagaland State Open Taekwondo Championship cum Under-14 “Catch Them Young” tournament was successfully held from July 30 to 31at the Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Longleng, hosted by the Longleng District Taekwondo Association (LDTA). The event was organized by the Nagaland Taekwondo Association in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), government of Nagaland.
A total of 17 teams participated, including teams from 15 districts, along with representatives from Nagaland Police and DYRS. The inaugural ceremony was graced by H. Sethrongkyu Sangtam, MLA and advisor for information technology & communication, economics & statistics, and evaluation, as special guest, and W. Manpai Phom (NCS), deputy commissioner of Longleng, as guest of honour.
The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS) emerged as the overall team champion, followed by Dimapur as first runners-up and Wokha in third place. Longleng district was recognized with the Best Disciplined Team Award.
Anirudra Pandey was honoured as Best Referee, while Vilabizo Nagi of DYRS and Visazuno Sachu of Chümoukedima were declared Best Male Fighter and Best Female Fighter respectively, for their exceptional performances.
As part of the tournament’s initiative to promote gender equality and empower young female athletes, the district Administration Longleng and the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Longleng the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Awards were presented to outstanding female participants in different age categories. The recipients were:
Senior Category: Elizabeth Ezung (Chümoukedima)
Cadet Category: Hukulu Vese (Phek)
Junior Category: Tetsonye Lorin (Dimapur)
Sub-Junior Category: Rhonbeni Lotha (Wokha)
The championship concluded with a valedictory programme held at the same venue, with Kethosituo Sekhose (NCS), Director of Youth Resources & Sports, as the valedictory guest. He praised the tournament as one of the best organized in the state and highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to expand sports infrastructure in Nagaland, including the development of 31 indoor stadiums, 20 futsal grounds, and 60 football turfs.
The programme also featured a special song by M. Phamnei Phom, an invocation by Pastor Meren of Ao Baptist Church Longleng, and was chaired by Mannngai H. Phom, with L.T. Hendok Phom, convenor of the championship committee, delivering the vote of thanks.
