Shuttle Rockers of Dimapur crowned champions of NPBL

Our Correspondent

Kohima, May 31 (EMN): Team Shuttle Rockers of Dimapur was crowned the champion of the first edition of the Nagaland Premier Badminton League (NPBL) on Friday May 31, at the Indoor Badminton Stadium in Kohima.

The three-day long league was organised by the Nagaland Badminton Club under the aegis of the Nagaland Badminton Association.

Champion team Shuttle Rockers defeated Kohima Smashers and pocketed INR. 150000 lakhs along with trophy, meanwhile second runners-up walked home with INR 80000 along with citation.

Team Shuttle Rockers went on to win the championship title after defeating Kohima Smashers at all categories including boys single (U-15), girls single (U-17), boys double (U-19), men’s single, men’s double, and mixed double.

Kohima Smashers bagged the individual awards of the league. Riku Khape was adjudged ‘player of the league’ and received INR 10000. The most promising player was awarded to Imlikumla Imsong and received badminton kits.

Altogether, six teams consisting of 18-20 members from three districts including Mon, Dimapur and Kohima participated. Players of the NPBL ranged from age 11 up to 53 years.

Rtd. DGP and former president of Nagaland Badminton Association, K Kire attended the closing ceremony as the special guest. He congratulated the organisers for initiating the first ever league saying it is a sacrifice for years to come.

NPBL is a platform for youngsters to take part, gain experience, improve, at the same time make friends with one another, he said. Unlike other games and sports, even when one loses, he/she can play and learn from it, he added.