Savage Setters clinch Imchaba Master Memorial Trophy title

Mokokchung, Sep 25 (NPN): The Savage Setters Volleyball Club Chungtia (SSVCC) emerged victorious at the 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Open Volleyball Trophy 2026, defeating MH-10 Kohima in a thrilling five-set final at the Multipurpose Sports Complex on Friday. The match kept spectators on edge as SSVCC rallied from two sets down to claim the championship 18-25, 12-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-12.
The champions pocketed a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, along with the trophy and certificates, while MH-10 Kohima settled for Rs. 70,000 and certificates as runners-up. Changtongya Volleyball Association secured third place and Unicorns Tuensang finished fourth.
Individual awards carrying Rs. 5,000 each were presented to: Best Setter – Limatenzuk (SSVCC); Best Spiker – Wonglem (SSVCC); Player of the Tournament – Obika (MH-10 Kohima); Emerging Player: Sentiyanger (MH-10 Kohima).
The closing ceremony was graced by Minister for RD & SIRF, Metsubo Jamir, who served as chief patron. In his address, Jamir emphasized that the trophy is not merely a sporting event but a tribute to Imchaba Master, a pioneering Naga educator and sports promoter. He praised the Mokokchung District Volleyball Association (MDVA) for upholding the legacy since 1995 under the motto “Endure All to Gain All.”
Jamir highlighted Imchaba Master’s contributions as one of the earliest Naga volleyball and badminton players, a Bible teacher, and mentor to future leaders including Dr. Talimeren Ao, India’s first Olympian and football captain. He urged the youth to draw inspiration from Imchaba’s life – “the son of the last headhunter who became the first teacher of a new era” — and to embrace sportsmanship, discipline, and unity.
The minister also lauded the young athletes for their resilience, tolerance, and ability to accept defeat gracefully, encouraging them to return next year with the same spirit of competition and camaraderie.
The 19th edition of the Imchaba Master Memorial Trophy thus concluded with SSVCC’s triumph, reinforcing the tournament’s role in promoting volleyball and preserving the legacy of a visionary leader in Nagaland.