Nagaland Police wins six medals at All India Police Badminton C’ship

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Feb.10 (EMN): Nagaland Police bagged six medals — two gold, three silver and one bronze — during the 12th All India Police Badminton Championship which concluded at Central Academy for Police Training in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, February 9.

Defending champion Narola Jati (Bendangnaro) of Nagaland Police settled with the silver medal in the women’s singles after conceding defeat to Megha of Uttarakhand in the final.

Trying to retain her title during the tough battle, the shuttler from Nagaland lost to Megha 21-17 and 21-18 in consecutive sets.

On the way home at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Jati told Eastern Mirror over the phone on Sunday midnight that she had been playing with a minor ankle injury since her arrival in Bhopal for the competition.

However, Narola Jati and Uma Tamang won the gold medal in women’s doubles after winning in straight-sets 21-14, 21-11 over Megha and Pranchi of Uttarkhand in an enthralling final match.

Nagaland Police also clinched another gold medal as defending champions Joseph Sumi and Raju Chetri defeated Mizoram in the men’s doubles final in straight sets. In a head-head final match, the doubles pair defeated rivals Lalmuanawma and R.Lalblaksanga of Mizoram with 21-19 points each in both the first and second sets.

It may be mentioned that Joseph Sumi is a 12-time North East champion and undisputed 15-time Nagaland champion.

The inspector in Nagaland Police and his doubles partner Raju Chetri have lifted the championship titles in doubles in both the state and North East tournaments many times. The doubles pair has been playing together since they were 10 years old.

Meanwhile, in mixed doubles final, Joseph Chetri and Uma Tamang lost to Manipur’s James and Marinda in consecutive two sets and had to be content with the silver medal.

Nagaland Police earned two more medals in the GO category. Deputy Commandant Haidingsap and Tiamenla bagged the bronze medal in the GO’s mixed doubles while Tiamenla earned another bronze medal for Nagaland Police in GO’s single.

Altogether, 12 players from Nagaland Police comprising of comdts. Rhovisie and Vizhoto; Dy. comdts. Haidingsap and Tiamenla; ABI Joseph Sumi; ABSI Tajenkaba and Narola Jati;  havildars Raju and Uma Tamang; constables Dolen Chang, Pulei Konyak and Imliwapang competed in the coveted tournament.

About 400 players from 38 police organisations are said to have participated in the tournament from across the country in the six-day All India Police Badminton Championship which started since on February 4.

Vijay Yadav IPS Special DG MP Police attended the closing ceremony at Central Academy for Police Training at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.