State team to compete at Junior Nationals
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 30
Dimapur District Basketball Association (DDBA) was officially launched on April 30. Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) vice president, Lipok Pongen while launching the DDBA at Hotel Saramati described it as a humble beginning yet with immense prospects ahead. The DDBA with the motto ‘Strive for excellence’ is led by Aomeren Longkumer as president and Senti Longkumer as secretary general.
The launch also coincided with the send-off programme of the state junior boys (Under-18) basketball team to compete at the 69th Junior National Championship at Ludhiana, Punjab from May 7-14. The team with 10 players will be led by coach Ranjan and Tiameren Amri as team manager.
“It doesn’t mean that you must win. But the more important thing is that we get to show that Nagaland also has the talent and the ability,” said NBA VP Pongen to the team.
The DDBA said that it was a great privilege for the fledgling district association to have got the opportunity to set up a state basketball team in collaboration with the NBA to compete at a national event. DDBA secretary general Senti Longkumer informed that this will be the second time after a long time for a basketball team representing Nagaland to compete at the national level in quick succession. In 2017, a team from Nagaland had competed at a national championship.
Stating that exposure at national level competitions bodes wells for basketball in the state, he added Nagaland has scope for approaching basketball not only as a hobby but as a career. He also said that the Nagaland state government proposing to come up with a sports policy would greatly benefit the growth of sportspersons in the state.
