Elderly person witnesses 29th Naga Wrestling Championship 2024 in Kohima on March 26. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 28
Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) President, Dr Hiabe Zeliang made a plea to the World Alysh Federation (WAF), Asian Belt Wrestling Federation (ABWF) and AITWPF to include Naga wrestling as a recognised wrestling discipline in the United World Wrestling (UWW).
He made this plea to the President of WAF and President, ABWF and AITWPF during their presence in the just concluded 29th Naga Wrestling Championship 2024 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
“It is not only a game but also a customary of the people whereby, friendships are developed, sanctification of male folk is done during wrestling days and certain disputes among the community members are honorably and amicably resolved through wrestling,” Dr Hiabe said.
He said that Naga wrestling is also more of a celebration “because the community people begin to prepare themselves to buy new cloths and prepare sumptuous food and drinks to share it with friends while witnessing the wrestling tournament.”
In the history of conducting wrestling championship since its inception 1969, there has never been a case of riot, commotion or stampede which disrupts the programme. Security personnel or police in riot gear have never been deployed simply because there is no doubt about law and order situation during the competition. The mammoth crowd is comfortably managed and controlled by local volunteers, he said. “The championship always ends up with jubilation and harmony while celebrating the victory,” he asserted.
So far, Dr Hiabe said, there is no record of debarring/expelling or disqualifying of any wrestler on moral and disciplinary ground.
“Our wrestlers do not dope to cheat and win the coveted title, therefore, the championship is held with high esteem by the community with utmost regard,” he maintained.
Stating that the wrestling championship is conducted under 3 tiers of judgment with one main referee, three field judges and a video review, he said “When the main referee is not sure of himself to give judgment/decision in certain bouts, he pulls the opinion of the three field Judges. When the wrestler is not satisfied with the decision of the main referee or field judges, he challenges the decision through video review which is final and binding.”
NWA activities during 2020- 2024
Highlighting the NWA activities during 2020- 2024, Dr Hiabe informed that NWA participated in the 23rd Women Senior Wrestling Championship, held on January 30-31, 2021 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It also participated in the Junior Women and Sub-Junior Cadet (Girls) National Wrestling Championship held at Bellary, Karnataka from March 19-21, 2021.
The 13th NWA Open Naga Wrestling Championship 2021 was held on April 9, 2021, at Khuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground). A big contingent of belt wrestlers from Nagaland participated in the 9th AITWPF National Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Championship 2021 at Goa from October 19-31, 2021. Team Nagaland won 20 medals: Gold-8, Silver-7 and Bronze-2 in Belt Wrestling and Gold-2 and Bronze-1 in Mas wrestling.
Wokha District Wrestling Association (WDWA) had submitted application accordingly as per the provision of the Constitution. NWA has given Provisional Affiliation to WDWA on November 6, 2021.
The 14th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2021 was conducted on December 4, 2021. The 28th NWA Naga Wrestling Championship 2022 was held on February 28, 2022 at Khuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground). Team Nagaland participated in the 2022 U-20 (Junior) Boys Freestyle Greco Roman style and Women National Wrestling Championship at Patna held from March 29-31, 2022.
NWA participated in the 1st AITWPF Federating Cup held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh from May 12-15, 2022. The team won 21 Medals: Gold-14, Silver- 4 and Bronze-3. Nagaland participated in Asian Belt Wrestling Championship held at Osh, Kyrgyzstan from April 19-24, 2022.
It also participated in ‘Pearl of Kyrgyzstan International Belt Wrestling Alysh Championship held from June 15-20, 2022. The participants Keduovilie Zumvu and Nlumrai won Bronze Medal each.
In collaboration with NWA, the Naga Student Union Shillong had organized its 1st Naga Wrestling Championship on October 24, 2022.
NWA participated in the 2nd North East Games held in Shillong from November 9-17, 2022. Team Nagaland secured 10 Medal in Freestyle Wrestling: Gold-3, Silver-4 and Bronze- 3. NWA Senior Freestyle Wrestling Championship 2022 was held on November 26, 2022 at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima.
The 15th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2022 was held on December 3, 2022 at Kisama. There were two categories, Professional and Amateur. In amateur category, wrestlers from Manipur, Bihar, Kerala, Nepal and United Kingdom participated.
The 14th NWA Open Naga Wrestling 2023 and 1st Belt Wrestling Championship meet was organised at Multi Disciplinary Sports Complex, Dimapur on March 17-18, 2023.
NWA participated in UWW Belt Wrestling Asian Championship 2023 at Jizzakh from May 20-26, 2023. Vekhonielu Curah won bronze medal and was felicitated on June 1, 2023.
NWA demonstrated Naga Wrestling in the Khelo India Rural and Indigenous National Games held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha from June 9-12, 2023, having invited by Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland.
It participated in International Olympic Committee Patronage- World Combat Games 2023 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from October 21-30, 2023 and also in 37th National Games at Goa from November 1-3, 2023.
NWA conducted 16th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship on December 2, 2023 at Chiechama. The NWA organized Freestyle Wrestling and Belt Wrestling in the 3rd North East Games 2024 under the banner of Nagaland Olympic Association. Nagaland contingent won 21 medals: Gold-3, Silver-3, Bronze-2 in Freestyle Wrestling and Gold-6, Silver-4 and Bronze- 3 in Belt Wrestling.
During 29th Naga Wrestling Championship 2024 under the aegis of NWA held on March 26 in Kohima, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyu emerged the champion title. Vemele Thingo, Venuzo Dawhuo and Rukukhoto Khusoh stood 2nd, 3rd and 4th position respectively.
