10th Imchaba Master Memorial volleyball trophy underway

Our Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG, SEPTEMBER 22 The biggest Volley ball tourney, the 10th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2015, was formally kicked off by Er Chubatoshi (Executive Engineer, PWD-NH, Mokokchung) at the Multipurpose Sports Complex here today. The tourney is organized by the Mokokchung District Volleyball Association. Altogether eighteen teams are participating in the tournament, which will culminate on Friday, 25th September. The chief guest, Er Chubatoshi, while speaking at the inaugural programme, congratulated the MDVA for successfully organizing the tournament for the past many years and added that their initiative in moulding and shaping of the youths will not go in vain, and that it will contribute in nation building.Encouraging the players, the chief guest challenged the sportspersons to exhibits their determination and commitments in good manners and team spirit. He pointed out that there will be only one winner at the end; however, he said that all the participating teams should ultimately clear their mind to be the winner in the heart of the audience who love this game. The MDVA president, Lakhi Longkumer, while welcoming the participants and the audience, expressed gratitude to the family of Late Imchaba Master for continually supporting the trophy year after year. Informing that the Imchaba Master Memorial trophy has become one of the most popular and enduring volleyball tournament in Nagaland, Longkumer said that this year’s trophy which is the 10th edition of the tournament is a great milestone achievement and the prize money have also been enhanced from the previous years. A minute silence was also observed as a tribute to Late Sentimeren, an MDVA member, who passed away this year. This year, the MDVA is also employing the ‘digital scoreboard’ which is the first of its kind in Nagaland. Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources, MTF & Lotteries, Kheriehu Lizietsu is expected to grace the closing function as the chief guest. In the first match, defending champions, Sporting Club Mangkolemba defeated the Striking Tenth 10th NAP (IR) Bn in a toughly contested match. A brief history about the tourney Late Imchaba, popularly known in his time as Master Imchaba, was born in Changki village in 1893. He studied at Impur Mission Training School from 1909 and also at Jorhat Mission School till Class VI. He worked as a teacher from 1915 up to 1942. He is the father of former Minister and former NPCC president, I Imkong. Imchaba Master was a very popular teacher. Besides, he was also a Bible teacher during Bible Associations held regularly at Impur for the benefit of churches and Christians from various tribes. He was also a very good sportsperson and was among the first Naga players in the games of volleyball and badminton which was introduced by the foreign missionaries. The Imchaba Master Memorial volleyball trophy was conceptualized in 2002, when the MDVA officials and executive members met I Imkong, the then Minister of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland (and also the son of Late Imchaba Master), where Imkong suggested the MDVA to conduct a district level volleyball tournament in memory of his late father Imchaba. The association willingly agreed and the family of Late Imchaba donated a sum of Rs 3,50,000. The first trophy was held in 2003, and today, it has become one of the most popular volleyball tournaments in the state.