Arrenpong Sports Festival concludes successfully

Our Correspondent

Mokokchung, Dec. 18 (EMN): Despite inclement weather playing spoilsports, the Arrenpong Sports Festival organised by the Mopungchuket Students’ Union (MALT) under the aegis of the Mokokchung District Sports was successfully concluded at Yimli ground, in Mopungchuket village on Tue. Dec. 18.

The sports festival was officially declared open by Dr Imtiwapang Aier, MLA as the guest of honour.  The Arrenpong Sports Fest featured four events – fastest bowler competition, sand volleyball championship, futsal championship and Mopungchuket cross country run.

Speaking in the inaugural programme, the guest of honour asserted that sports must be used for the harmonious development of mankind.

Citing the ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy,’ which played a decisive role to build relationship between China and USA in 70s’, Aier, said today sports has often contributed in its own way in influencing political situation by developing  more diplomatic relationship between village, tribes, region, states and countries in a wider perspective.

Nevertheless, the MLA also wondered why the Nags, in general, intuits with sporty nature do not progress in the field of sports even though they have the potentials and credential to reach their goals.

He also observed that the drawback might be the Nagas have not “blended in the right form… due to the abuse of alcoholism, drugs and other matters associated with private lives; where many sporting personalities have succumbed.” They cannot play as role models, to impress our young people, thus it has become an inevitable challenge to sports administrators,” he said.

In this connection, the MLA asserted that great sporting career doesn’t begin at world cup or marathon, but they begin in the backyard or school playground and challenged the participants that this small tournament may forward them to the pinnacle of their career as a professional sportsperson.

‘We need to improve competition at the grass-root level. A good sports person with a potential bright future is not only an asset for the state but to our country too,’ he said.

Earlier, the guest of honour also unveiled the commemorative medal at the event.

Associate and technical partners during the events were: MDCA, Indian Fast Bowlers Foundation, MDVA and AMAM.

Results of the event

Futsal: Hooligans Club beat Pur Ajem Society 1-0 via tiebreaker.

Sand volleyball: Tongpangkumba and Sarilepzung won the championship via toss of the coin while Ochitemsu and Imkongyapang were declared runners-up

Fastest bowler competition: Odilemba won both titles of Mokokchung’s fastest bowler and Arrenpong open fastest bowler. His fastest delivery was 100 kph

Mopungchuket cross country run

Men

First: Bipul Sadnami (Assam)

Second: Tekanenba (Mokokchung)

Third: Rupam Bora (Assam)

Women

First: Tsungrempokla

Second: Throngtila

Third: Toshitula