The first Nagaland Premier Badminton League 2019 got underway at the Indoor Badminton Stadium in Kohima on Wednesday.
The three-day tournament is organized under the aegis of Nagaland Badminton Club (NBC) in association with Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) with the theme ‘The league of Champions’.
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As many 108 players from six teams from across the State are participating in this tournament, which will conclude on Friday.
Participating at the inaugural ceremony, Kohima deputy commissioner Anoop Khinchi was of the opinion that the tournament is a ‘stepping stone’ for the players to become professionals. The deputy commissioner also exuded confidence that the tournament will move in that direction in the years to come.
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He also added that sports not only keep one in good health but also build our confidence, leadership and sportsmanship and asked the students present to take up a sport or game for physical well-being.
He said Nagas are talented but they need to work hard to become professional both in the national and international level by working side by side with the coaches and trainers, and added that he would extend his help to the players.
NBC general secretary Joseph Sumi said the inaugural edition of Nagaland Premier Badminton League (NPBC) has been envisioned by badminton enthusiasts who created the NPBC Society with a vision to promoted badminton in Nagaland and would operate under the Guidelines BWF/BAI/NBA.
Earlier, NBC president Er John Metha delivered welcome address.
The six participating teams in the tournament are: All Beats Kohima, Beits Badminton Club Kohima, Raging Phoenix Kohima, Kohima Smashers, Shuttle Rockers Dimapur and Panama Shuttlers Mon.
While Ruvehu Murao (11 years) is the youngest participant, Yekhuvi Achumi (53) is the oldest participant of the badminton tournament.