DIMAPUR, JULY 22: A two-day Phek district Open Badminton tournament-cum-selection for Inter District 2016 got underway today at the Badminton Stadium, Pfutsero. Fifty-one players are participating in 7 different categories including Junior category (Under 19-single), Senior category (men’s single and doubles), 4 categories of Sub-veteran (35 years & above- doubles) and Veteran category (40 years and above) respectively.
Director of Higher Education, I.Alempokba, who inaugurated the tournament on Friday morning highlighted about the history and origin of the sport. Impressing upon the gathering to “play badminton and stay healthy,” he said it has several health benefits. He noted that, ‘badminton is a game where both your physical agility and intelligence is demanded.’“My dream is that one day people from Pfutsero, people from Phek, people from Nagaland, will be at the national level”, he stated. Alempokba reminded the players that one cannot become a good player overnight and encouraged them to take care of their body, lead a disciplined. The Phek District Badminton Association will host the inter-district tournament next year.
