NIAPA to host Northeast Open Table Tennis Championship from December 18

KOHIMA — The Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA) has announced that the 5th NIAPA Northeast Open Table Tennis Tournament will be held from December 18 to the 21st at the NIAPA Mini Stadium in Chümoukedima.

According to NIAPA, the tournament aims to promote table tennis in Nagaland and provide state players with exposure by competing alongside leading paddlers from across the Northeast. Events will include singles, doubles, mixed doubles, under-21, veteran doubles, best duo, and team categories.

Top players from the region are expected to take part, with a total prize pool of INR 6,00,000. NIAPA stated that this remains among the largest cash awards offered in the country for open-level table tennis competitions.

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NIAPA managing director AK Yhome said the academy is committed to strengthening the sport’s foundation in the state by creating opportunities for competition, growth, and skill development. She added that the tournament reflects NIAPA’s broader effort to nurture talent across various disciplines.

The four-day event will open with veteran matches, followed by the team events, Under-21 categories, and individual fixtures. The finals are scheduled for December 21.

This edition will also introduce a new “Best Duo” category focused on Nagaland players. The top state pair will receive INR 15,000, while the second place and semifinalists will receive INR 12,000 and INR 4,000 each.

Cash prizes have been announced for all categories. The Team Event carries INR 1,00,000 for first place and INR 50,000 for second. In Men’s Singles, the prizes are INR 25,000 for the winner, INR 15,000 for the runner-up, and INR 5,000 for each semifinalist. Women’s Singles winners will receive INR 20,000, INR 12,000, and INR 4,000 respectively.

For Women’s Doubles, the prizes are INR 25,000, INR 15,000, and INR 5,000 each, while Men’s Doubles will offer INR 30,000, INR 20,000, and INR 5,000 each. Mixed Doubles winners will receive INR 30,000, with INR 20,000 for second place and INR 5,000 for semifinalists.

In the Under-21 category, the prizes are INR 15,000, INR 10,000, and INR 4,000 for semifinalists. In the women’s Under-21 event, the prizes will be INR 10,000, INR 7,000, and INR 3,000 each. Veteran Doubles winners will receive INR 15,000, with INR 12,000 for second place and INR 4,000 for semifinalists. Other individual awards, including Best Naga Player of the Day, will also be presented.

The organisers stated that each category requires more than eight participants for the event to be confirmed.

For queries, NIAPA can be contacted at +91 98564 46674 or 99165 80774.