MOKOKCHUNG, SEPTEMBER 30 (MExN): Native Shuttlers Association Mokokchung prevailed over 9 other teams to take the Mokokchung Inter Club Badminton Championship 2017 title. The final and deciding day at the Indoor Badminton Stadium, Imkongmeren Sports Complex on September 30 witnessed nail-biting action between Native Shuttlers and Team Bendangsunep.
Guided by Imlirenla Jamir as coach, who recently became the first Naga to play at a BWF World Senior Badminton Championships, the Native Shuttlers ‘B’ team defeated Team Bendangsunep in an exciting finals that went down to the wire. Team Bendangsunep got off to a brilliant start by winning the U-13 Boys and Men’s Doubles. Team Bendangsunep’s was however broken as Native Shuttlers won the U-15 Girls Singles. In the fourth match, Native Shuttlers overcame Team Bendangsunep in an exhilirating Men’s 35+ category match. The nail-biting win for Native Shuttlers in this category brought them back to level terms with Team Bendangsunep. However, Team Bendangsunep came back strongly to take the lead once again by winning the U-17 Boys’ Singles leaving them just one win away from winning the championship. It was a so close yet so far moment for Team Bendangsunep as Native Shuttlers won the Men’s 45+. With three wins apiece, the winner of the U-19 Mixed Doubles became the decider, which was won by Native Shuttlers.
Two players showing promising identified and awarded cash prize sponsored by Dr.Watizulu, Senior Vice President, Nagaland Badminton Association. Imsusenla of Longsa Sporting Club, a student of Class 3 at Children English School Mokokchung and Sentisang of Native Shuttlers, a Class 7 student at Yajen Aier GHS Mopungchuket were the promising players.
The championship was organised by the Mokokchung District Badminton Association. A total of ten teams representing eight clubs competed in the tournament featuring some of the biggest names in Nagaland badminton circuit. The three-day tournament was played in seven categories with the objective of promoting badminton as a professional sport and also to identify and nurture budding talents.
