Mokokchung players (White) in action against Dimapur (Black) during their gold medal encounter in volleyball at the 3rd Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024 at Arena D, Sovima on February 17. (Morung Photo)
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Tuensang impresses, Phek dominate in bronze medal showdowns
Morung Express News
Sovima | February 17
Tournament favourite, the Mokokchung team, clinched the gold medal in men’s volleyball today at the 3rd Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024 (NOPG), while Peren secured the title for women in the volleyball finals at Arena D, Sovima.
In the men’s final, spurred on by hundreds of fans from both sides within the main arena and those perched on the under-construction building adjacent to the court, the match began with a resounding spike-off.
The Mokokchung team lived up to the fans’ expectations by dominating the first set and winning it 25-19.
However, Dimapur came back strongly after the initial setback, winning the second set with a higher margin of 25-18. With the match being played in the open court, nature played a role, with each team winning their respective sets when the opponent’s side was facing the sun directly.
The match eventually went into a deciding set.
During the last set, Mokokchung players displayed well-coordinated dominance, winning from both sides of the court and ultimately securing the gold with a 25-18 victory.
The third-place encounter produced one of the best games of the tournament as Tuensang and Kohima vied for the bronze medal.
The first set the stage for an exciting game as Tuensang clinched the set 28-26, after a highly competitive game with points oscillating on both sides.
While the second set went to Kohima with a 25-18 scoreline, the third set also produced a thrilling encounter as both sides tried their best to win the decider.
The third set saw some of the best spikes and long rallies as each side responded to the other, and the match was equally poised until the 20 points.
Eventually, Tuensang proved to be the better team of the day, winning the contest 25-22 to clinch a hard-won bronze.
In the women’s final, Peren proved to be too strong for Zunheboto, winning the showdown in two straight sets (25/22 and 25/20) to clinch gold in a relatively one-sided encounter.
The bronze medal match also saw Phek defeating Chümoukedima in two straight sets (25-18 and 25-23).
Despite the enthusiastic crowd, dedicated players, and women referees overseeing the men’s game, the sporting infrastructure leaves much to be desired. For instance, the volleyball matches were played on makeshift tarpaulin, which is not befitting of an Olympic Games. The same holds true for the viewing arena, or rather, the lack of it.
This was not restricted to volleyball alone, but others including the popular football discipline.
Meanwhile, gracing the finals as the guest of honour, Director of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose, maintained that opportunities are rising in Nagaland for those interested in sports.
He cited the recent extension of sports scholarships through the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as a case in point.
The State Government and the department are also working with different associations in nurturing and identifying talents as well as capacity building, he noted.
To this end, Sekhose urged the players to maintain discipline and dedication to move forward and make sports a source of livelihood and employment. Listening to their coaches and managers, he added.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Volleyball Association announced the 24-member State men’s squad for the upcoming North East Olympic Games to be hosted by Nagaland.
The champions Mokokchung were rewarded with 6 members in the squad, while there were 4 from silver medallist Dimapur.
Three players from Peren were also in the team, while the districts of Wokha, Tuensang, and Kohima had two players each. There was one player each from Chümoukedima, Longleng, Mon, Phek, and Zunheboto.
