Kohima Dec 26 (ANI): Nagaland state Sepak Takraw Teams for both the men and women’s division are undergoing intensive training for the 20th senior Sepak Takeaw Championship to be held in New Delhi from Tuesday.

The championship is a precursor to the 34th National Games to be held in India’s Jharkhand state.

Altogether 24 states will be participating in the tournament, out of which eight teams will be selected to re-qualify for the National Games.

Holshe Khrieo, the coach of Nagaland’s Sepak Takraw state team said :

“The government of Nagaland and the Department Of Human Resource Development and Sports is very encouraging.

Rigourous sessions aim at motivating and raising the morale of the players and to brace them up for the tournament at New Delhi.

“Our team is very good and we are also preparing well. I am confident about the tournament. We are expecting a medal in the tournament,” said Pusato, a player on men’s Sepak Takraw state team.

The women’s team players were equally confident.

“I feel very proud and we are doing very well with intensive coaching, we are preparing for the national games,” Pungotolu, player Women’s Sepak Takraw state team.

Since its inception in 1996 the game has been gaining popularity among sports lovers in the state.

Both men and women’s teams have earned respect for their achievements in the past. (ANI)