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KOHIMA — Striker Menenü Tsükrü, feeder Seyiekhrieno Tepa, tekong Rukuvinu Tsükrü, and striker Sezovelü Dozo, who formed the core of the Indian women's sepaktakraw team that won two gold medals at the 5th South Asian Sepaktakraw Championship, arrived in Dimapur on Sunday.
Upon their arrival at Dimapur Airport, accompanied by their coach Holshe Khrieo, who hails from Nagaland as well, the team received a warm welcome from the Nagaland Sepaktakraw Association (NSA) and well-wishers.
The Indian women's sepaktakraw team, comprising eight players, clinched two gold medals by emerging victorious in the quadrant and regu events at the championship held from January 31 to February 2 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The remaining players on the team consisted of tekong Monika Poonia and striker Poonam from Haryana, tekong L Jaina Devi from Goa, and striker Asmita Malla from Delhi. The team was also accompanied by the women's coach, Bibhu Machi from Assam.
While the team secured two championship trophies, Tsükrü and Tepa each received two gold medals, while Dozo and Tsukru earned one gold medal each.
Upon their return, Menenü Tsükrü reported to her camp at Tezpur in Assam, where she serves in the SSB. Meanwhile, Seyiekhrieno Tepa, Rukuvinu Tsükrü, and Sezovelü Dozo went to the State Sports Academy in Dimapur, Nagaland.
On her return, Dozo shared with Eastern Mirror about the importance of winning and representing India, as well as her commitment to doing her best and pursuing more medals to bring honour to both Nagaland and India in the days to come.
She expressed determination to persevere, leveraging the recognition gained from their victory to strive for greater accolades in the future. The striker extended gratitude to all supporters, both near and far.
According to Dozo, there has been a positive shift in the way people see both players and the sport of sepaktakraw in Nagaland and this has helped them overcome obstacles and emerge victorious while competing against various nations.
She appealed for continuous support from all stakeholders as they look forward to participating in more competitions at the state, national, and international levels.
She also expressed gratitude to the Sepaktakraw Federation of India (SFI) for their faith in her and acknowledged the support provided by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), NSA, CM Neiphiu Rio, and Advisor to the CM Abu Metha.
Tepa expressed joy in bringing honour to both her state and country and attributed the victory to God, her parents, and the officials who supported her throughout her journey. Rukuvinu Tsükrü and Menenu Tsükrü said that it's a proud moment for them.
Coach Holshe Khrieo, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the SFI for selecting both the players and himself to represent Nagaland and described the victory as a "great achievement" for the Indian team and one of the "biggest achievements" for them as players and coach from Nagaland.
Khrieo also expressed gratitude to Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), and Abu Metha, the association's secretary-general, along with the Department of YRS for their support.
It's worth mentioning that alongside the women's team, the Indian men's sepaktakraw team also secured the championship title in Nepal during the event, earning three gold medals—one each in the team event, regu event, and quadrant event.
Menenü Tsükrü
Sezovelü Dozo
Seyiekhrieno Tepa
Rukuvinu Tsükrü
Holshe Khrieo
