NBA Condemns Alleged Murder of Nagaland Basketball Player
Vihozhonu Zao, a budding U23 female athlete, had reportedly left home on the evening of October 24 to play basketball, but did not reach her destination.
KOHIMA, October 27: The basketball community in Nagaland has been left in shock following the tragic death of Vihozhonu Zao. A rising women’s basketball player in her early twenties, Zao’s body was found under suspicious circumstances on October 25, 2025, near her residence in Old Ministers’ Hill Colony in Kohima.
Zao had represented Nagaland at the U23 National Basketball Championship in Guwahati earlier this year.
Police Conduct Examination
As reported by a local news website, Zao had allegedly left home on the evening of October 24 to play basketball, but did not reach her destination.
According to an official statement issued by the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), Zao’s tribal youth organisation, her body was discovered the next morning “below her residence, hidden behind a ring well covered by a sack, clothes, and firewood.”
The organization described the incident as a cold-blooded murder and demanded that authorities expedite investigations and take stringent action against the culprits.
As per reports, the police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The Kohima Police also confirmed that a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team had conducted an examination at the site where Zao’s body was found. The body was later handed over to the family following a post-mortem examination, though officials stated that the details and findings of the report have not yet been disclosed.
Nagaland Basketball Community Mourns a Rising Star
The Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) also issued a strong statement condemning what it called a “brutal and senseless murder.” In a joint statement, NBA President Zhaleo Rio, IAS (Retd), and Honorary Secretary Sentiningsang Longkumer expressed outrage over the killing, calling it “a devastating loss for the entire sporting community.”
“Vihozono was more than an athlete, she was a symbol of hope, discipline, and determination for countless young sportspersons across Nagaland,” the NBA statement read. “Her life, full of promise and potential, has been cut short by an act of unimaginable violence.”
The association urged law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) and pressed for swift and uncompromising justice.
Call for Safety and Justice
SAYO, in its statement, further highlighted growing safety concerns for women in the State and appealed to the Nagaland Government to take swift measures to prevent such acts from happening in the future. The youth organization also called on civil society to unite against such senseless acts of violence and injustice.
As investigations continue, the NBA paid tribute to Zao, writing, “As we mourn the loss of one of our brightest talents, we also reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the dignity and safety of every athlete in Nagaland. Vihozonu’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those she inspired, and we will honor her memory by continuing to fight for justice and a safer future for all.
If you’ve come this far...
Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India’s first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information. Please contribute via https://razorpay.me/@ekalavyas 🙏🏾. We are accepting contributions as low as Rs. 1/- (including a small processing fee charged by the payment gateway provider). Thank you for playing a part in keeping media independent and objective!