Our Correspondent Kohima | March 13 The 8th edition of the Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tournament got underway at Jakhama Local Ground today. Altogether, 22 teams – including one each from Diphu, Assam and Shillong, Meghalaya, and 20 from Nagaland – are competing in the tournament organised by the Youth Department of Nepali Baptist Church Kohima (NBCK) on the theme "Peace and unity through Cricket." The tournament will conclude on March 25. Er. Kevisekho Kruse, Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering Department who was the chief guest at the inaugural function acknowledged the Youth Department of NBCK for promoting Cricket in Nagaland and stated that he sees a “great future” for cricket in the state. He was optimistic that such platform would go a long way in popularizing Cricket in Nagaland and the North East region as well. Also speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA) president & AFC 'B' Licensee Roko Angami urged upon the youth to take up sports as a profession. Recalling his best youth days spent in football wherein he played in different clubs across India including Nepal, Bangkok, Israel and Malaysia, he asked, “If I can play for India, why can’t you?” Stating that success in any disciplines primarily depends on hard work and dedication, he also called upon the youth to have patience and exercise peaceful mind to excel in the field of games and sports. Nagaland Pradesh Youth Congress (NPYC) President Vilhousielie Kenguruse was also in attendance at the inaugural function. Earlier, NBCKYD Chairman Kiran Gurung said that NBCK has established Sports Ministry in 2005. From there sports activities have become a regular feature with Silver Cup as the main activity to reach out to the youth and promote unity and friendship with other communities. Organizing Committee Secretary Robi Thapa administered oath to the participating teams. The champions of the tournament will be awarded Rs 80,000 while the runner-up will receive Rs 40,000. Losing semi-finalists will get Rs. 5000 each. Individual prizes include: Player of the Tournament - Rs 5000, Best Wicket Keeper, Highest Run Scorer and Highest Wicket taker - Rs 3000 each and Emerging Player - Rs 1000. Bayavu Giants beat Silver White Playing the inaugural match, Lower Bayavu Giants defeated Silver White by 6 wickets. Winning the toss, Silver White elected to bat and set a target of 91 runs losing all wickets in 19 overs. Robinson scored highest with 16 runs for Silver White. In the run-chase, Lower Bayavu Giants achieved the target in just 12.3 overs losing 4 wickets. Barging and Tapitu scored 25 and 21 runs respectively. Vikato of Lower Bayavu Giants was declared man of the match for claiming 3 wickets. March 14 Matches: Kingz vs Peraciezie Royals @ 9am Indomitable 15 vs Victoria CC Dmp @ 12 Noon
