Wokha, Nagaland – The Wokha District Badminton Association (WDBA) hosted a successful “Catch Them Young” badminton tournament on March 28th, aiming to cultivate the next generation of badminton talent within the district. The one-day event, held at the Indoor Badminton Stadium in Wokha, saw participation from 158 students representing 13 schools across three age categories: under-11, under-13, and under-15. The tournament focused on both singles and doubles competitions, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and compete for recognition.
The WDBA highlighted that over 20 young players are currently receiving professional coaching under the Khelo India scheme, a government initiative designed to promote sports at the grassroots level. This tournament served as a crucial step in identifying promising players who could benefit from further training and potentially represent the district, state, and even the nation in future competitions. The initiative underscores a growing commitment to developing sporting opportunities for youth in the region.
Tournament Results: A Showcase of Rising Talent
The competition was fierce across all age groups, with several standout performances. In the under-11 girls’ singles, Grace L Ngullie of Brighter High School emerged victorious, defeating Ayesha Begum of Little Angels’ School in the final. The boys’ under-11 category saw Rikhyo T Ezung of Gilgal High School claim the title, with Meribemo Ngullie of LMHSS, Wokha, finishing as the runner-up.
Moving to the under-13 division, Lichibeni T Humtsoe of Mount Sinai School secured the girls’ singles championship, besting her schoolmate Chumlano T Humtsoe. Lansothung Humtsoe, also representing the Khelo India program, won the boys’ under-13 singles title, overcoming Samuel Y Angh of Perennial School in the final match.
The under-15 age group witnessed Chumdeno Humtsoe of DBHSS Wokha triumph in the girls’ singles, with Abigail Ezung of Gilgal High School taking the runner-up position. Elishan Ngullie, another athlete benefiting from the Khelo India scheme, secured the boys’ under-15 singles title, defeating Milonshan Humtsoe of Mount Sinai School.
Doubles play also delivered exciting matches. In the under-13 girls’ doubles, Lichibeni T Humtsoe and Chumlano T Humtsoe (Mount Sinai School) took home the gold, while Eyingrhoni Ezung and Jandeno Ezung (DBHSS Wokha) earned the silver. The under-13 boys’ doubles title went to Liron Kikon and Tonovi H Shohe of Isaiah Ability School, with Sadik Ahmed and Mahmudul Hassan of Little Angels’ School as runners-up.
The under-15 girls’ doubles saw Chumdeno Humtsoe and Lumvoni Chezia Kikon (DBHSS Wokha) crowned champions, with Sarokhaibam Lanchenbi Chani and Nibidita Chakrabarty (Little Angels’ School) finishing as runners-up. Finally, Milochan and Chumthungo of Mount Sinai School secured the under-15 boys’ doubles title, defeating Erenthung Yanthan and Rhonbemo Y Ezung of St. Peter’s School, Longsa.
Mount Sinai School demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the tournament, topping the overall medal tally with an impressive three gold medals. Winners across all categories were awarded certificates, cash prizes, and medals in a closing ceremony that celebrated the achievements of all participants.
The “Catch Them Young” tournament represents a significant step forward in badminton development in Wokha. By providing a competitive platform for young players and leveraging the resources of the Khelo India scheme, the WDBA is fostering a promising future for the sport in the region. The event not only identified emerging talent but also instilled a sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the participants.
The success of this tournament highlights the growing importance of grassroots sports initiatives in Nagaland. The Khelo India Centre (Badminton) inaugurated in Wokha in May 2023, as reported by the Nagaland Tribune, provides a dedicated facility and coaching support for aspiring badminton players, further bolstering the district’s sporting infrastructure. Deputy Commissioner Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the State Government for their support in establishing this vital center.
Looking ahead, the WDBA plans to build on the momentum generated by this tournament, continuing to identify and nurture young talent. The association aims to provide ongoing training and competitive opportunities, ultimately empowering these athletes to represent Wokha, Nagaland, and India on the national and international stage. The next step will be to assess the players identified and integrate them into a structured training program, preparing them for future challenges.
What do you suppose about the rising badminton stars in Wokha? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this story with fellow sports enthusiasts!
