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The organisers unveiling the logo of the 9th edition of the Open Basketball Tournament in Kohima on Saturday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 29 (EMN): Following a gap of 8 years, the Suncity Club Kohima today announced the revival of one of the oldest basketball tournaments in Nagaland.
The 9th edition of the Open Basketball Tournament (9th OBT), scheduled to be held from May 24 to 27, will be a collaborative effort with the Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) at Khouchiezie, Kohima local ground.Addressing media persons at Suncity office in Kohima village this evening, tournament co-convener, Medozhatuo Rutsa informed that unlike the last eight editions, the forthcoming tournament will be held under 'flood-lights', a first of its kind, with 20 team from different parts of the state being expected to participate.
The organisers also informed that the existing basketball court is being renovated with an estimated cost of Rs.3 lakhs to hold the tourney.
Rutsa said even as the past editions have witnessed teams from outside the state, including the national competitors - Eastern Railways, Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong and Faithballers Assam, this time the organisers are contemplating to assess the standard of the basketball players in the state, only after which, it would invite teams from outside.
In regard to the long gap after the 2008 tournament, he said it was due to fund constraints.
“We have been funding the tournament ourselves, while the state government has not been extending any financial support,” he said.
Rutsa further disclosed that, with a view to improve the standard of the game in Nagaland, the tournament would also witness launching of the Nagaland Basketball Referee’s Association (NBRA) on the inaugural day.
He informed that the winning team will be awarded Rs.50,000/- and the runners-up will fetch Rs.30,000/- cash prize along with trophies and citations. The losing semi-finalist will get Rs.5,000/- each besides individual awards of the tourney, while one "lucky spectator" would receive surprise gift hampers in each match.
During the press conference, convener of the tournament Teisozhavi Theünuo, who is also the general secretary of Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA), unveiled the official tournament logo along with other members of the club.
He said the tournament will be conducted under the rules as laid down by Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA).
Interested teams have been asked to confirm their participation by the first week of May by contacting organisers at 9436016529 and 8860054186.
