12th Open Naga Wrestling Meet today

NWA officials with wrestlers from US, Myanmar and other delegates during the interactive session in Kohima on March 6. (Morung Photo)

Interactive session with visiting team from US, Myanmar

Our Correspondent 
Kohima | March 6 

Ahead of the 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet 2019 scheduled for March 7 at Kohima Local Ground, the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) today organized an interactive session with the visiting team from United States and Myanmar here at Hotel Japfii.

The interactive session exchanged ideas and opinions to improve the indigenous game of wrestling, how it can be introduced at the national level and carry forward to the international level.

NWA president Neivikuolie Khatsu informed that the NWA and Chin Wrestling Federation felt the need to promote each other style of wrestling and also participate in each other wrestling tournament.

Chin Wrestling Federation chairman, Ang Chung extended invitation to Naga wrestlers for their forthcoming tournament in America.

All India Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Federation secretary general Shailandra Kumar Pathak while stating that Naga style of wrestling is limited to Nagaland said the federation wants it to be recognized at the national level.

Lauding the efforts of NWA in preserving the traditional sports, he encouraged: “we should not go away from own tradition and culture because if we remain rooted to it that becomes the strongest bond of unity and oneness.”

He suggested applying for recognition under Central government’s policy of recognizing indigenous games and sports by constituting Naga Style Wrestling Federation of India; and taking Naga style wrestling to the school level through the School Games federation of India.

There is bright future for belt wrestling as it is likely to be the fourth style of wrestling in the forthcoming Asian games, he said and insisted that NWA apply for demonstration of Naga style wrestling in the ensuing National Wrestling championship to be held later this month in Goa.  

Altogether, 67 wrestlers will join the 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet 2019 on March 7, starting from 8:30 AM onwards. 

Apart from Naga wrestlers, the 12th edition will also witness professional wrestlers from United States, Myanmar and Jharkhand.

Entry ticket for spectators stand at: Gallery- Rs. 100, chair- Rs. 500 and Donor- Rs. 2000.

Earlier, the NWA made an appeal to those living nearby to come to the venue by foot, and or keep their vehicles far off “so that we do not disturb traffic in the main town.” He also requested the public to park their vehicles properly to ensure free flow of traffic on the tournament day.