First Inter-Departmental Badminton tournament underway in Kohima

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Oct.22 (EMN): The much anticipated first Inter-Departmental Badminton Tournament Kohima edition commenced at Nagaland Legislative Assembly multi-purpose hall on Friday in Kohima.

Neiba Kronu, minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Nagaland, formally kicked off the two-day tournament.

Appreciating the Inter Department Badminton Club Kohima (IDBCK) for organising the tournament, where as many as 22 departments are participating, Kronu said that badminton is an ‘interesting game’. Recalling how he was introduced to the discipline following his entry into politics, he stated that quite a good number of legislators including the chief minister of Nagaland are fond of the game.

The minister also played in the men's doubles badminton and informed how three badminton courts were constructed at the venue following their love for the game. Despite asserting that Nagaland lags far behind the neighbouring Manipur state in games and sports, he hoped that with the few available infrastructures and facilities, Nagas could catch up and slowly carve their names in disciplines like badminton, where Asians are dominating the game in the world currently.

Also appreciating the participation of women players in the tournament, he further wished all the teams the best.

Shanavas C, Principal Director of School Education and Convenor of IDBCK, informed how the idea of organising the first edition of inter-departmental competition was conceptualised when a few of them were playing together, when the whole country was reeling under Covid-19 pandemic.

Stating that with the lockdown relaxation issued by the state government and following SOPs, they were able to conduct the competition although the pandemic is not over yet. Reminding that participation was more important than winning or losing, he asked the sportspersons to abide by the rules of the game and to exhibit sportsmanship spirit during their matches.

Shanavas emphasised how participants from various departments coming together for such a competition could result in the ‘development and progress of the state and community’.

Altogether, 55 teams from about 22 departments are taking part in the tournament, which is featuring men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

The ongoing tournament is being officiated by other badminton players from Kohima district.