Victor 1st North-East Masters (Veteran) Badminton Championship 2017 inaugurated

  Dimapur, May 4 (EMN): The first mega badminton tournament Victor 1st North-East Masters (Veteran) Badminton Championship 2017 hosted by Dimapur District Badminton Association (DDBA) under the banner of Nagaland Badminton Association was inaugurated on Thursday May 4 by Lok Sabha MP and former State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kuda Youth Indoor Badminton Stadium, Dimapur today. Badminton is the most played game in India after cricket which is gaining popularity and mass participation even at grassroots levels, and organisations should not only conduct events but produce talents, accentuated chief guest Rio. Sharing his passion for the game, the MP conveyed his contentment over the Veterans leading the way and prompting passion for the sport among the youngsters for the game. Remarking sports as a profession which is admired by young and old alike, Rio said ‘in today's world sports has become ‘moral equivalent of war’ as it creates a sense of unity. "Politics, war and religion divides people but sports bring people together," articulated Rio. The love for sports have brought us together here and the importance of sports is huge as it builds a sense of team spirit and constructive competition to excel, conveyed the MP. Lauding the company Victor-an international brand for reaching out to every nook and corner taking the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the next level by sponsoring the Victor 1st North-East Masters (Veteran) Badminton Championship in Dimapur, he opined that unless private companies come forward, sports will not develop. "If not for this event we would not have gathered together in this manner. However our love for this game have brought us together and similarly through our combined efforts and support let us promote the game among the youngsters so that together we make North East and the country proud" conveyed Rio. Participants from Arunachal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland have come for Victor 1st North-East Masters (Veteran) Badminton Championship 2017 on Thursday. It was announced that five national umpires assisted by umpires from Nagaland will administer the event. The championship will be played under seven categories-35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+ and 95+ (combined of two players) with 92 teams. Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, KesonyuYhome, IAS who is also the Convenor, Organising Committee in his welcome address conveyed optimistic that the event will be a unifying force to bring together the people of the North East promoting sports in the region. MLA Zhaleo Rio also graced the inaugural programme of Veteran Badminton Championship 2017. The veteran badminton championship 2017 will conclude on May 6 at Dimapur District Badminton Association (DDBA) Indoor stadium Dimapur which will be graced by Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also Minister for Finance, Health and Education, Assam and International Badminton Star Ashwini Ponnappa, who is also a recipient of Arjuna Award and brand ambassador for Victor.