Longleng district holds its first open women’s volleyball tournament to encourage greater participation of women in sports.
DIMAPUR — The first edition of the Longleng District Open Women’s Volleyball Tournament 2026 was inaugurated at the Local Ground in Longleng on October 20, with a call for greater participation of women in sports.
According to a press release, the tournament was organised by the Longleng District Volleyball Association (LDVA) in collaboration with the District Hub for Empowerment of Women/Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (DHEW/BBBP), Longleng.
Ase Pongshi, wife of the Advisor for 50 A/C Longleng, attended the opening ceremony as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, she lauded the LDVA for providing women volleyball players with a platform to showcase their skills, talent and sporting abilities, and expressed hope that the initiative would encourage greater participation of women in sports.
Speaking on the theme “One Team, One Dream, One Vision,” she said games and sports were as important as education in the holistic development of an individual. She highlighted their role in promoting socialisation, emotional stability, physical fitness and overall well-being.
She also said sporting events create opportunities to build meaningful relationships, foster mutual respect among teams and opponents, and strengthen unity and understanding within the community.
Encouraging the participating teams, Pongshi urged the players to compete with integrity, dedication and commitment, and to appreciate one another irrespective of the outcome. She expressed hope that the tournament would mark the beginning of a lasting sporting tradition in Longleng district.
The programme included an invocation by Chulei Phom, Christian Education Secretary of the Phom Baptist Churches Association, a welcome address by the LDVA president, a special number by Lichei Y. Phom, and an oath-taking ceremony before Pongshi formally declared the tournament open.