ASA officials at the press conference in Kohima on February 11. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 11
In a bid to promote and take the wrestlers forward, the Angami Sports Association (ASA) has introduced belt wrestling for its upcoming 51st Meet 2023. The 51st ASA Meet 2023 will take place on February 15 at Amphitheatre, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. It will be a one day affair.
Unlike its previous meet with series of games and sports event, this 51st Meet has been specifically design for belt wrestling and freestyle, said ASA President, Lhoubeizo Kesiyie while addressing a press conference at Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) office complex in Kohima.
With this, belt wrestling will be conducted for the first time in the history of ASA.
Recognizing the potential of the Naga youth in wrestling, ASA has decided to give due attention towards belt wrestling henceforth, Kesiyie said.
In this discipline (Belt wrestling), the Naga youth got potential to represent India at the international level and Olympic Games, Kesiyie maintained. ASA is planning to bring the international belt wrestling coaches from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to train the Naga youth for a week. International coaches are likely to land Nagaland by the end of March for coaching camp, he said. “The main target of ASA is to train well our wrestlers to become professional wrestler in their respective category,” he said. He maintained that Naga youth can do well in belt wrestling as the same is similar to Naga style wrestling.
Kesiyie informed that ASA will be conducting freestyle in its 51st meet as well, as Naga youth have potential in this discipline too. Since freestyle has been given less importance for so many years in ASA meet, we want to revamp it, he said. He encouraged the wrestlers to be more submissive and discipline themselves to face the challenges and bring laurel to themselves and for the Nagas as a whole.
240 wrestlers to vie for top honours
60 wrestlers each from four ranges- Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA), Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA) Western Angami Youth Organization (WAYO) and Chakroma Youth Organization (CYO) will join the meet.
In belt wrestling (Men) for seniors, 20 years and above will compete in the categories of 55, 60, 70, 80, 100, 100+ kg. Juniors (18-20 years): 55, 60, 65, 70 and 80 kg. Categories for cadets (16-17) years will include; 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 kg.
In freestyle (Men) under seniors, 20 years and above will vie for top honour in 65, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg category. Juniors (Below 20 years): 51, 57, 65, 74 kg. Free style (Women) event will witness 43, 49, 57 and 65 kg category.
The inaugural function will take place from 9:00 am onwards with Pelesielie Khezhie, president Nagaland Contractors & Supplies Union as the special guest.
Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA) President, Roko Angami will be the guest of honour at the valedictory function.
Keduovilie Zumu, Neiphreto Zhiinyii, Amos Kikhi, Vikholie Kire, Mezivil Kiso and Rovilhulie Pier will officiate the belt wrestling as referee and judges. Free style referees will include Kikhwesiil Thokhwe, Vilhou Zhasa and Rokosielie Khawakhrie. The meet will be managed by Southern Angami Youth Union Christian Revival Church. Meanwhile, ASA extended invitation to each and every individual to its 51st Meet.
