NWA announces 30th Naga traditional Wrestling championship 2026

•    Rs 30 lakh set as total prize money
•    YouTubers barred from uploading event footage
•    Tickets available for book at www.ahibi.in

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 24

The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) is all set to conduct NWA 30th Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship, 1st NWA Under 15 & 1st NWA Provisional Championship 2026- cum- 1st Wrestling Festival 2026 at Khuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground) on March 6 and 7.

Addressing a press conference at NWA office, Kohima, NWA President Vivolie Kezo said that Nagaland’s Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and Nagaland’s Tourism & Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along will be the special guest for the second and first day respectively. Sanjay Kumar Singh, President, Wrestling Federation of India will be he honoured guest.

Kezo thanked the state government under the leadership of Dr Neiphiu Rio for supporting the wrestling activities in the state.

He was appreciative that the Naga wrestling has been included as one of the Medal event competition disciplines at the recent 13th All India Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Federation (AITWPF) National Wrestling Championship 2026, held from January 9 to 12 at Mapusa, Goa.

He thanked AITWPF president Omarmukhtar Tamboli for inclusion of Naga Wrestling as the medal event discipline in the national arena and to follow suit at the international championships in the coming days. Kezo also thanked Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for sponsoring the 1st Wrestling Festival 2026, which is going to be an annual event.

Provisional championship
The 1st Provisional Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship 2026 will take place on March 6.

This event will feature eight wrestlers each from six provisional units of NWA (Lotha Wrestling Association, Sumi Wrestling Association, Pochury Wrestling Association, Rengma Wrestling Association, Chang Wrestling Association and Sangtam Wrestling Association).

NWA Publicity Secretary Er Seyielhouvi Nagi said that the champion will carry a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh while runner-up will be awarded with Rs. 1 lakh. The 3rd and 4th position holders will get Rs 80,000 and Rs 60,000 respectively.

Losing quarter finalists will be awarded with Rs 10,000 each. Other participants will get Rs 5000 each. The best team will pocket Rs 30,000.

Under-15 Championship
The 1st Under 15 Championship 2026 will also take place on March 6.

Eight wrestlers each from three affiliated units of NWA, comprising Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association and Zeliang Wrestling Association will vie for top honour in this category.

The Champion will win a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh while the runner-up will receive Rs 80,000.

The third and fourth position will get Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Losing quarter finalists will get Rs 10,000 each. Other participants will also receive Rs 5000 each.

Main championship
The main NWA 30th Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship has been scheduled for March 7.

18 top wrestlers each from the three affiliated units of NWA (Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association and Zeliang Wrestling Association) will vie for this main event.

The Champion will get Rs 6 lakh. In addition to prize money, the champion will also receive a plot of land at Chümoukedima, measuring 100 ftx100 ft, donated by Tepuleho Pusa.

The runner-up will receive Rs 3 lakh while the 3rd and 4th position will get Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh respectively.

The losing quarter finalists will receive Rs 20,000 each while other participants will get Rs 10,000 each. The prize money for group champion has been set at Rs 60,000. The prize money for all categories is entirely sponsored by NWA.

Tickets
Ground Management (Angami Catholic Union) Convenor Neivikuolie Nicholas Khatsu informed that the ticket has been made in six categories for spectators.

Day 1 (March 6) will be haft price of the ticket rate.

Well wishers ticket has been fixed at Rs 10,000 (Admit one). The package will include packed lunch, tea/coffee, hat, moudi, drinking water and players’ profile and pen.

Ticket for VIP Box has been fixed at Rs 1 lakh (Admit 5), featuring table with five chairs. Packages include; beverages, hot and cold water, tea service, moudi (5), packed launch (5),  players’ profile & pen, hat and reserve parking for 1 vehicle.

Other tickets: Chair (Back)- Rs 200 (Admit 1), Chair (Front)- Rs 500 (Admit 1), Balcony (Premium)- Rs 1000 (Admit 1), Donors Gallery- Rs 2000 (Admit 1/Complementary lunch and refreshment).
The spectators can book ticket at www.ahibi.in

To avoid traffic congestion, Khatsu requested the Kohima dwellers to avoid bringing vehicle and also appealed the spectators from neighbouring villages to use bus service.

Parking will be designated at NST and Kohima city centre areas.

Meanwhile, NWA Vice President (General) Viketouzo Meyase said that there will be live telecast for both days in partnership with ahibi.com The cost for Pay-Per-View (PPV) on first day has been fixed at Rs 49 and Rs 199 on second day.

He said that private parties/YouTubers will not be allowed to upload the video on both days.

NWA Joint Secretary Kuzhovesa Soho requested the spectators to paste their phone number on their cars. He also called for maintenance of cleanliness and hygienic environment at the venue.

Clarification on Naga traditional wrestling, Naga wrestling
NWA General Secretary Kenlum Hemang clarified that the NWA has introduced two distinct categories (Naga traditional wrestling and Naga wrestling) aiming to preserve traditional practices while aligning with international standards.

Naga traditional wrestling category will retain its original and traditional form of Wrestling without women’s participation, preserving the rich customs and traditions among the tribe of Angami, Chakhesang, Zeliang and other Tenyimi Naga Tribe. This Traditional Naga Wrestling will remain a key feature of the NWA’s Calendar.

Naga wrestling category is introduced to meet the guidelines set by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will includes Women’s participation.

He said that weight category and a structured point system, set at par with all UWW guidelines, featuring in the Open Championships, including the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship.

This category will strictly adhere to UWW criteria to promote the sport at the international arena.

He said that NWA’s primary goal is to secure recognition for Naga Wrestling at the International level.

The NWA aims to extend this outreach to all 17 tribes of Nagaland, with the ultimate goal of gaining National, International, and Olympic recognition, Hemang said.