Our Correspondent Kohima | April 29 After a gap of eight-years, Suncity Club Kohima today announced the revival of one of the oldest Basketball Tournament in Nagaland. The 9th edition scheduled from May 24 to 27 will be held in collaboration with Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) at Khuochiezie, Kohima Local Ground. Addressing media-persons at Suncity office, Kohima village, Co-convener of the Tournament, Medozhatuo Rutsa informed that unlike the last eight editions, the 9th edition will be held under flood-lights, a first of its kind, with an expected 20 teams from different parts of the State. The organizers are also completely renovating the basketball court at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 lakh to hold the tournament. He also informed that even as the past editions have witnessed teams from beyond the State, including the national competitors - Eastern Railways, Assam Regimental Centre , Shillong and Faithballers Assam, this time round, the organizers contemplate on assessing the standard of basketball players in the State, and then invite teams from outside. Asked about the gap of eight years (the tournament was last held in 2008), Rutsa attributed it to fund constraint. “We have been funding the tournament ourselves, while the State government has not been extending any financial support,” he said. Rutsa further revealed that with a view to improve the standard of the game in the State, the tournament would also witness launching of the Nagaland Basketball Referee’s Association (NBRA) on the inaugural day. He also announced that the champions will receive cash award of Rs. 50,000 and runners-up Rs 30,000 with trophies and citations. Losing semi-finalist will get Rs 5,000 each besides individual awards of the tournament, while one lucky spectator per match will receive surprise gift hampers. Meanwhile, Convener of the Tournament, Teisozhavi Theünuo, who is the General Secretary, Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) unveiled the official tournament logo along with other members of the Club. Maintaining the standard of the game, the tournament will be conducted under rules as laid down by Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA), he informed. Interested teams have been requested to confirm participation by first week of May by contacting 9436016529 and 8860054186.