The Nagaland team which came third in the NE Zonal Senior Basketball Championship.
Nagaland secure third position
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 20 (MExN): On the concluding day of the NE Zonal Senior Basketball Championship, Mizoram emerged victorious in the men’s category while Assam triumphed in the women’s category. The North East Zonal Championship serves as the qualifiers for the nationals. The two winning teams will participate in the 71st Senior National Championship in Chennai from January 23 to 30.
Manipur kick-started the last day of the championship cruising to a 126-33 win against a young and inexperienced Tripura side.
In the next game, Nagaland men, the underdogs of the championship, clawed their way back in the third quarter of the game to edge out host Meghalaya 70-73. For Nagaland, K. Belho garnered 29 points and was able assisted by Seyie Kire who scored 25 points. Vaiphie scored 18 points for hosts Meghalaya. With this win, the young team from Nagaland led by Captain Salew Kadete and Vice Captain Chumben Humtsoe secured the third position in the men’s category.
In the penultimate game of the championship, the eventual champions Mizoram toppled Assam 85-68 in an exciting game. Led by current national player Lalrina Renthlei, the mizo men played with their brand of swift passing game and finishing to secure the top spot and qualify for the finals in Chennai.
In the crucial and final game for women, the Meghalaya women’s team went down to a dominant Assam side. The lanky Assamese women totally outplayed the Meghalaya women and won 104-51.
At the closing ceremony of the NE Zonal Senior Basketball Championship, James PK Sangma, Minister of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Forest & Environment, Health & Family Welfare, Information & Public Relations, Law, Taxation, Registration & Stamps in Government of Meghalaya was the Chief Guest.
