Nagaland inter district and open badminton championship

Defending champion Riku Khape enters quarter-final

Kohima, Aug 10: Defending champions Riku Khape of Dimapur district beat Tiayanger Pongen in the second round to enter the quarterfinals of men’s singles at the 42nd State Open Badminton championship as it entered the second at Pfutsero on Friday.

The championship is organised by Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) and hosted by Phek District Badminton Association (PDBA).

Riku beat Pongen in two direct sets by 21-13, 21-11. While Montu Mullick of Kohima defeated Nehutso of Phek 21-13, 21-13. Riku will now take on Montu Mullick in the quarter final match of the men’s single category.

Leihong of Mon beat Thungbemo Odyuo of Wokha 21-7, 21-4. Pulei Konyak of Nagaland Police beat

Akshay Sangpang of Kohima 21-15 and 21-11. Leihong will now take on Pulei Konyak in quarters.

Bentilo Kath of Dimapur overcame Sonu Gurung of Tuensang 21-17, 21-16.

While Salanger Jamir of Dimapur will take on last year’s runners-up Ankur Sangpang Rai of Kohima in round two.

For women single category, defending champions Bendangnaro of Nagaland Police will face Watinaro Pongen of Mokochung district in the quarter final match after both the players got bye in the first round.

While last year’s runners up Deepika of Mon district will take on Yashikala of Dimapur in the quarterfinal match.

For women double and mixed doubles category, the matches will take place on Saturday.

For U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 for both boys and girls, till now the quarterfinals are being played.

NBA has introduced U-9 and U-11 for both boys and girls for the first time with the aim to provide opportunity to the young players at the grass-root level.

In the single category for girls U-9, Eva Teto-e Khutso of Kohima will clash with Imnasenla of Dimapur in the final match.

For boys U-9, Mutum R Singh of Kohima will play against Heloka Swu of Dimapur in the final match.

For girls U-11, Imsusenla Longkumer of Mokochung will face Kipangwala Longkumer of Dimapur in the final match.

While the other matches for Veterans 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+ for individual categories were still going on till the filling of this report.

Nagaland Police win team championship

Nagaland Police emerged as the team champions for senior category in inter district championship while Kohima district was adjudged as the runners up.

For junior category, Mon district emerged as the champions and runner-up was Mokochung district.