Nagpur: It is always heartening to see packed crowd supporting the non-cricket sports.

Thousands of fans thronged the Pratap Nagar-based Samarth Vyayam Shala ground on the opening day of the 43rd Maharashtra State Inter-District Volleyball Championship, which got underway on Sunday.

The unexpected crowd support not only boosted the morale of the players but it also warmed the hearts of the organizers - Nagpur District Basketball Association.

The holiday crowd got their money's worth as both the men's and women's teams of Nagpur district began their campaign on a winning note. The defending champions made a bold statement with their splendid performance. While city men thrashed Latur 25-16, 25-15 in the inaugural encounter, their women counterparts got the better of Akola also in straight games - 25-21, 25-20.

TOI