Officials at the 61st annual sports meet of SASA at Phesama on January 25. (Morung Photo)
Belt wrestling at the 61st annual sports meet of SASA at Phesama on January 25. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 25
The 61st annual sports meet 2023 of Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA), featuring free style, belt wrestling and volleyball, made a colourful start today at Phesama village under Kohima District.
Gracing the opening ceremony as the inaugural guest, Vilopi Sakhrie, Block Development Officer, Jakhama RD Block, Department of Rural Development, described SASA as a prestigious platform for the upcoming sportsperson to showcase their talents and skills. He expressed his delight over the introducing of a new sports discipline in respect of belt wrestling in SASA meet this year.
“By introducing this new discipline, it is my hope that our sportspersons will take this opportunity to compete and represent our people not only in the local or regional events but be able to represent our state and nation at the national and international level in the near future as well,” Sakhrie said.
He also thanked SASA for bringing together all the villages of the Southern Angami area under one umbrella, to unitedly compete in the true spirit of sportsmanship and also to represent the area in the higher platforms.
Stating that there will always be a winner and a loser in sports platform, he said “but if each player participate with the true spirit of sportsmanship, i.e, with the right attitude and a positive mindset both the winner and loser have always something positive to take away.”
“Let your participation in this event be a building block for your personal growth and a stepping stone for your success in life,” he told the players.
ASA to bring international belt wrestling coach to Kohima
Seeing the wide scope of belt wrestling at the international level, the Angami Sports Association (ASA) has included the discipline of belt wrestling in the forthcoming ASA Meet 2023, said ASA President, Lhoubeizo Kesiyie.
For this, he said, various regions under ASA have been conducting belt wrestling championship this year.
Belt wrestling involves contestants aiming to knock each other over by grappling with a belt.
He maintained that Naga youth have potential to shine in this belt wrestling as it has similarity with Naga style wrestling.
ASA is trying to bring international belt wrestling coach to Kohima to give extensive training to the wrestlers and coaches, he said.
He called upon the wrestlers and coaches to get ready and avail such opportunity.
Further, Kesiyie informed that ASA has also included free style wrestling in the forthcoming ASA Meet 2023.
He said that the need to revamp free style wrestling within ASA level has been necessitated as it has been gaining popularity at the international level.
He called upon the wrestlers to give their best and take as profession.
Earlier, SASA president Rokovizo Meze in his presidential address challenged the wrestlers to give their best and bring laurel to the community.
He informed that the winners in their respective category will represent SASA at the forthcoming ASA Meet 2023.
Vizokho Zashümo, President, Phesama Youth Organization delivered welcome address and thanked SASA for enabling Phesama village to host 61st SASA meet.
The function was chaired by SASA Vice President, Ketobu Vitsu while SASA Wrestling Secretary, Vitsoto Vitsu administered oath to the participating teams.
The two-day long meet will feature belt wrestling (Men) for senior, junior and cadets, free style (Men & Women) for seniors and juniors and volleyball (Men & Women).
Tuolie Seleyi, Rtd director SCERT Nagaland will grace the valedictory function on January 26 at 3:00 pm.
