LSA Golden Jubilee and 50th Imtimeren Memorial Open Volleyball Tournament kicks off in Longsa with Minister Metsübo Jamir emphasizing unity and sportsmanship.
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MOKOKCHUNG — The golden jubilee celebration of the Longsa Sports Association (LSA), held in conjunction with the 50th Imtimeren Memorial Open Volleyball Tournament, commenced at Salang Lenden, Longsa village, under Mokokchung district, on Thursday.
Themed “To foster the young generation”, a total of eight teams are competing in the two-day event from across Nagaland.
The participating teams are Longsa Eagle Club, Lions Club Longsa A, Lions Club Longsa B, Friends Spikers, Fighting Peace, Longsa Citizen Club, United Young Club Moalenden, and Changtongya Volleyball Association.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Rural Development and SIRD, Metsübo Jamir, as the special guest.
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In his address, Jamir said the tournament continues to serve as an important platform for players to showcase their talents and nurture sportsmanship. He encouraged participants to play with dedication and integrity, noting that while victories and defeats are part of the game, consistent performance and discipline define true athletes. He added that the players’ conduct and teamwork could inspire spectators and young aspirants alike.
Emphasising the value of unity, the minister remarked that team spirit builds lasting memories and bonds that go beyond the game. “You may be teammates today and opponents tomorrow, but friendship and respect must always remain,” he said.
Honouring the memory of Late Imtimeren, in whose name the tournament was founded, Jamir described him as an all-rounder and an unforgettable personality whose contributions continue to inspire the community. He lauded the organising committee and the Longsa Village Council for sustaining the legacy for five decades.
Highlighting the importance of continuity, Jamir welcomed the suggestion to create a corpus fund to ensure the future of the tournament and expressed his willingness to contribute. He also encouraged the village to consider expanding similar initiatives to other sports such as badminton and football for the benefit of local youth.
As a gesture of encouragement, Jamir extended INR 5,000 each to all participating teams.
Following the inaugural programme, matches began with Lions Club Longsa securing a straight-set victory in the opening match (25–17, 25–22). In the second game, Fighting Peace defeated Longsa Citizen Club convincingly (25–9, 25–14). The third match saw Lions Club Longsa A make a strong comeback after dropping the first set to Friends Spikers, ultimately winning 23–25, 25–15, and 25–17.
The tournament champions will receive a cash prize of INR 1,00,000, while the runners-up and losing semi-finalists will receive INR 60,000 and INR 20,000 respectively. Additionally, all visiting teams will be provided with a travel allowance of INR 5,000 each, and individual awards of INR 5,000 will be given for Best Player, Best Spiker, Best Setter, and Best Libero.
S Supongmeren Jamir, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), will attend the closing ceremony on Friday as the guest of honour.