The 5th edition of the Late G. Rio Memorial Men’s U19 Inter-District Tournament concluded with a thrilling final at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, where Dimapur secured a hard-fought victory over Kohima to lift the championship title once again. This win marks the fifth consecutive time Dimapur lifting the trophy.
Having won the toss and opting to bat first, Kohima managed to put up a modest total of 134 before being bowled out in 45.5 overs. Dimapur chased down the target in 33.3 overs, however with great difficulty as it was down to their last man.
Meanwhile, delivering his message as the special guest in the closing and prize distribution ceremony, member of the Apex Council, BCCI, M Khairul Jamal Majumdar, expressed appreciation to the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) for the invitation and lauded the association for its exceptional growth, noting that among the Northeastern states, Nagaland stands out.
He credited the stance of cricket in the state to the unwavering support from chief minister, Neiphiu Rio. Congratulating both teams for their spirited performance, Majumdar described the final as a close and exciting match.
He later shared that the BCCI was committed to improving cricket infrastructure and support in the region and hinted at a new project for the Northeast, though he refrained from revealing further details.
He also highlighted that Nagaland Cricket Stadium has now been included as a venue to host BCCI events. He later urged players to aim higher, change mindset, and demonstrate that talent from Nagaland and Northeast can thrive in the national level. Honorary president NCA, Kechangulie Rio also delivered an acknowledgement speech on behalf of the family of Late G. Rio.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by chairman, tournament sub-committee NCA, Philip Lam, invocation by associate pastor CRC Sovima, Rev. Zhau Sanchu, and opening remarks by honorary secretary NCA, Hyunilo Anilo Khing.
The tournament was organized by NCA, which saw participation from ten districts, with matches played at both Nagaland Cricket Stadium and the Sovima Cricket Ground.
Individual Awards:
Player of the Tournament: Samir Ali (Dimapur)
Best Wicketkeeper: Renben Kithan (Wokha)
Best Bowler: Sujit Kumar (Niuland)
Best Batsman: Nikato Zhimo (Zunheboto)
Player of the Match (Final): Samir Ali (Dimapur)
Player of the Tournament: Samir Ali (Dimapur)