Savage Setters VC defeat MH-10 Kohima in five sets to lift the 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy.
MOKOKCHUNG — Savage Setters Volleyball Club, Chungtia (SSVCC), claimed the 19th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy after recovering from a two-set deficit against two-time champions MH-10 Kohima in a five-set final at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on September 25.
The four-day tournament, organised by the Mokokchung District Volleyball Association (MDVA), featured several of Nagaland’s leading volleyball teams. In the final contest, the newly formed Savage Setters fought back from a two-set deficit to deny the seasoned MH-10 side the title in their maiden appearance at the tournament.
MH-10 Kohima dominated the early exchanges, taking the first two sets 25-18 and 25-12. Savage Setters then produced a turnaround, winning the next three sets 25-22, 25-22, and 15-12 to secure the championship.
Formed only this year, SSVCC had made its competitive debut just days earlier at the 14th Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy held from September 16 to the 18th, where it reached the final before falling to Changtongya Volleyball Association. The SSVCC side progressed deep into another major state-level event shortly after.
At the Imchaba Master Memorial Trophy, Savage Setters defeated Yangs Brother in the quarter-final and then overcame Unicorns Tuensang in straight sets in the semi-final to set up the title clash with MH-10. The squad blends experienced players drawn from established teams with younger talent.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Minister for Rural Development and State Institute of Rural Development, Metsübo Jamir, as the chief patron.
Addressing the gathering, Jamir said the tournament should be remembered not merely as a sporting contest but as an occasion to honour the legacy of Master Imchaba, whom he described as a pioneer in education and sports during a period of significant social change in Nagaland.
Jamir recalled Imchaba’s early role in promoting volleyball and badminton, noting that he was among the first Naga players of these games after their introduction in the Naga Hills by American missionaries.
Beyond his own participation, Imchaba encouraged sports among his students. Among those he taught and inspired was Dr. Talimeren Ao, the first Naga Olympian and the first captain of independent India’s football team.
He urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from Imchaba’s ability to overcome limited resources and turn challenges into opportunities.
While only one team would take home the trophy, he said, the greater success of such events lay in youth development, sportsmanship, and community bonding.
Savage Setters Volleyball Club, Chungtia, received the championship trophy along with a cash prize of INR 1 lakh. Runners-up MH-10 Kohima were awarded INR 70,000. The third-placed team received INR 30,000 and the fourth-placed side INR 20,000.
In the individual awards, Wonglem (jersey number 9) of SSVCC was named Best Spiker, and Limatenzuk (jersey number 11) of SSVCC was named Best Setter. Obika (jersey number 1) of MH-10 Kohima was declared Player of the Tournament, while Sentiyanger (jersey number 3) of MH-10 Kohima was adjudged Emerging Player of the Tournament.
Each individual award winner received INR 5,000. In addition, each of the 14 participating teams was given a participation grant of INR 5,000, and every individual player received INR 5,000.