Nagaland Inter Open Volleyball Tournament 2026 kicks off at Kezo Town. AWO President Neithono R Sothu urges athletes to have resilience.
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KOHIMA — The Nagaland Inter Open Volleyball Tournament 2026, organised by the Kezo Town Baptist Khriesarüü Krotho (KTBKK) on the theme “Uplifting lives through sports”, began at Kezo town local ground on Tuesday.
Speaking during the inaugural programme of the two-day event, the special guest, President of the Angami Women Organisation (AWO) Neithono R Sothu, emphasised the power of self-belief and resilience, particularly among youths and sportspersons, noting that true strength does not always announce itself but often reveals itself in quiet determination.
She urged the players to trust the process, stating that success is never accidental but the outcome of sustained hard work, perseverance, continuous learning, sacrifice, and a genuine love for what one does.
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Stressing the importance of overcoming adversity, she reminded the participants that real glory lies not in never falling, but in rising each time one falls, thus encouraging the athletes to remain focused and mentally strong. She asserted that a victory mindset is built on learning as much from setbacks as from triumphs.
“We never truly lose,” she said, citing that every experience is either a win or a lesson. She also opined that victories are worth celebrating not merely for the result, but for the unseen effort, discipline, and commitment that go into achieving them.
It was informed that a total of 26 teams, including both men and women, are participating in the 3rd edition of the tournament.