29th NWA championship 2024 on March 26

Expecting 30,000 to 35,000 spectators

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 10

The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) is all set to conduct 29th NWA Championship 2024 on March 26 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. The NWA is expecting 30,000 to 35,000 spectators.

Announcing this during a press conference at Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) office complex, NWA president Dr. Hiabe Zeliang informed that 54 wrestlers (18 wrestlers each from 3 affiliated units- Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association and Zeliang Wrestling Association) will vie for 2024 championship.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the special guest while Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang will be the guest of honour. All Tenyimia legislators will be the patron for the meet.

For satisfaction of the spectators, the NWA president said that sufficient number of LED will be installed at the venue. Mamho Chakriino from Chedema village will be the brand ambassador for this upcoming 29th NWA meet

NWA has adopted him as the brand ambassador for his deep enthusiasm towards Naga wrestling.

NWA general secretary Vilekho Bio informed that donor card will stands at Rs 3000. There will be two categories for chair ticket- Rs 1000 and Rs 500. Gallery ticket will stand at Rs 100.

The NWA present team for 2020-2024 tenure will be completed after conducting this 29th NWA Meet and new team of office bearers will be installed, Bio said. Car parking facility will be made available at Hockey Ground on payment of parking fee. 
Botsa Baptist Church will assist the meet as Ground Management.

Kechangulie Kense of the ground management group informed that they will tie up with mini bus and taxi operators for conveyance of public to the venue. Food will also be served at the prevailing market rate, he said.

Prize money
The NWA champion will fetch a cash prize of Rs. 3.20 lakh alongwith Late Velahii Puro Memorial Trophy and cash award of Rs 30,000. The second position will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 2.20. lakh along with citation while 3rd and 4th place winners will receive Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs 1.20 lakh respectively. Losing quarter finalists will receive Rs 25,000 each. The group champion will be awarded with Rs 30,000.

UWW, WAF officials to join as international guest
Dr. Hiabe informed that through the intervention of the Government of Nagaland, the president United World Wrestling (UWW) and president World Alysh Federation (WAF) will join the tournament as the honoured guests. The intention of the Government of Nagaland to have them is to promote Naga wrestling as one of the recognized indigenous discipline in UWW body, he said.

“We are grateful to the Government of Nagaland for having such fabulous idea to promote Naga wrestling,” he said.

In this, Dr Hiabe requested the wrestlers as well as the spectators to exhibit good discipline and manner during the meet to uphold the reputation of Naga style wrestling.