State-level ‘Catch Them Young’ sepaktakraw tournament to be held tomorrow

KOHIMA — The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) will be organising the 16th Edition of state-level ‘Catch Them Young’ (U-14) Sepaktakraw Tournament at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima, on Tuesday.

This was informed by Director of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Kethosituo Sekhose during a press conference at the Directorate’s conference hall in the presence of the officers of the department, on Monday.

He said that district-level tournaments were conducted in all the 16 districts ahead of this state-level tournament, which is for both boys and girls. All the districts of the state, barring Kiphire, are expected to take part in the tournament.

About 300 young athletes are expected to converge for the tournament, which will start at 7 am on Tuesday, while the valedictory programme will be held at 4: 30 pm.

The director of YRS informed that the Catch Them Young (U-14) Sepaktakraw Tournament is being organised, realising the potential and the laurels the sub-junior, junior and senior teams have brought for the state.

He reminded that the state team won an array of medals both at the national and international levels.

Sekhose informed that the state has constituted the Catch Them Tournament, which would continue for the next five years, basically to hone the talent that is available at the grassroots level.

Maintaining that the first target of the state is the Commonwealth Games to be held in Malaysia in 2026, he said, “If we are able to produce good players within these two years’ time, perhaps they will be able to be featured in the Indian team, then there is a good chance for the Indian National team to secure a position in the medals tally, particularly in the field of sepaktakraw.”

Pointing out that among the Commonwealth nations, the number one team in sepaktakraw is Malaysia followed by India, he exuded confidence that the team will be able to perform well even in the Commonwealth games.

He went on to inform that the state team is targeting a number of tournaments, including the Kings Cup and the upcoming National Games and Khelo India games.

Meanwhile, the director informed that the state government is looking forward to taking athletes, particularly in sepaktakraw discipline, to Thailand for an intensive coaching camp later this year.