In a unique initiative blending sports with regional camaraderie, players from Nagaland and Assam faced off in the inaugural Mithun-Rhino Pickleball Championship, which began on Saturday in Dimapur. The event aims to strengthen sporting ties and promote friendship between the two northeastern states.
Organised by the Nagaland Pickleball Association, the two-day championship is being held at a sports facility in Dimapur and features players competing in several categories, including men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and veterans’ matches.
The tournament’s name symbolically represents the two states-Mithun, the state animal of Nagaland, and the Rhino, closely associated with Assam and its iconic population in Kaziranga National Park. Organisers said the championship seeks to promote “sports diplomacy” by using pickleball as a platform to encourage cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Officials said the event also reflects the growing popularity of Pickleball across the Northeast, particularly among young athletes and recreational players. Trials were conducted earlier in Dimapur to select players who would represent Nagaland in the interstate contest.
Participants and organisers expressed hope that the championship will become an annual event and expand to include more states in the region. They noted that such sporting exchanges can help strengthen bonds among northeastern communities while promoting healthy competition and grassroots sports development.
The Mithun–Rhino Pickleball Championship is expected to conclude on Sunday with the finals and prize distribution ceremony.
- Log in to post comments
