Nagaland Open Badminton Championship silver jubilee edition underway in Kohima

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 19 (EMN): A three-day Nagaland Open Badminton Championship silver jubilee edition organised by Capital Shuttlers Kohima began on Wednesday at the State indoor stadium in Kohima.

Formally declaring the tournament open, Neiba Kronu, minister of Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue, Parliamentary Affairs, congratulated Capital Shuttlers Kohima for attaining 25 years of its existence.

He said that nations in Asia are getting the limelight as they are dominating the game of badminton because of which the world recognises them.

Stating that many of them including the chief minister of Nagaland are fond of the discipline, he said that of late, many young and old alike in the state are competing in different badminton tournaments.

Besides conducting competitions, badminton could be played as an activity for maintaining one’s health and fitness.

Further wishing the participants the best, Kronu reiterated that they have come up with the renovated badminton floor at the stadium and accordingly asked the sportspersons to maintain the facility with care.

Started in 1997 by 13 members and formally known as Evening Club, the same was renamed as Capital Shuttlers Kohima, a government-registered club.

It was informed that the club has organised different activities like coaching camps for Kohima district badminton players for years while they have sponsored players from economically weaker backgrounds to helping Kohima District Badminton Association financially during inter-district tournaments on yearly basis.

The competition is being conducted for different categories such as veteran doubles, open men’s and mixed doubles for 30, 40, 50 and 60 plus years of age.

A total prize money of INR 3, 20, 000 has been set aside for the tournament. It was informed that about 100 players representing different clubs are vying for the title.

Earlier, during the inaugural ceremony Neiba Kronu released the jubilee souvenir while a minute silence was observed in honour of the departed club members.