Dignitaries and others during the inauguration of Thenyizu wrestling institute on March 15.
Kohima, March 16 (MExN): Thenyizu Wrestling Institute (TWI) under Khelo India was inaugurated on March 15 by Nagaland’s youth resources & sports secretary Wezope Kenye at Multipurpose Hall, Thenyizumi village under Phek district.
Speaking on the occasion as the special guest, Kenye stated that reigning Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) champion Venuzo Dawhuo is a master in what he does and is standing as a champion not because of luck or because of fate but because of his dedication, hard work and humility, and is setting new trends and breaking stereotypes.
Towards this, he encouraged more people to take up sports not just as a hobby but as a career.
He maintained that there are so many success stories that were heard about people and is inspiring and he lamented that in Nagaland, by far have produced only two Olympians, and he asserted that for Nagas to produce more sportsperson that brings more credit to the community.
Nagas should get rid of the mentality where the people only want the government to sponsor and support, he said.
“If we keep depending on someone for our success instead of working or struggling to be successful, we will never get there” said Kenye while highlighting the story of Usain Bolt and Mira Bhai Chanu.
He said that “success does not fall on your plate on a silver platter. You have to work hard and struggle for it in whatever field you decide to choose”.
He stated that sports is a powerful tool to bring people together and unite them and maintained that wrestling is a one-man game, yet sports generally ignite the feeling of unity and teamwork among people and he exuded that through the introduction of the new wrestling institute, it would encouraged to ignite the spirit of wrestling to the other districts as well.
“Don't let it (Wrestling) revolve only around the Chakhesang, Angamis and Zeliang community, introduce the sport on a state level and invite Nagas from every corner of Nagaland to be a part of this proud indigenous game of ours,” he said.
Nagaland’s Youth Resources & Sports (YRS) director Akumla Chuba in her speech informed that the Ministry of Sports has taken initiatives to set up 1000 Khelo India Centre’s (KIC’s) in all the districts of the country.
She added that 19 KIC’s has been taken up in the state, paving way for the players from the state to national level and stated that Venuzo will be the ambassador for the Thenyizu Wresting Institute.
The director also maintained that Khelo India is an initiative that is important beginning for the development of sporting culture and sports excellence in India having aim to scout the talent from the grass root level by providing infrastructure.
Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) president Vekhozo Ringa stated that the institute is not only for Thenyizu but will benefit for the whole Chakhesang and the Phek district as a whole.
He said wrestling is not just a sport but the Chakhesang takes it as pride, culture and identity and added that the community support with what they have taking pride in victory and even in loses.
He hoped that the facility would grow further and push further the younger generation to a higher level.
He highlighted initiative taken by CWA to promote wrestling in the grassroots level- by writing an appeal letter to all schools within the Chakhesang areas both government and private schools to introduce wrestling in their annual sports meet.
He also urged the government for early implementation of ‘Nagaland State Sports Policy.
Further, he suggested for renaming the various sports association into District Olympic Association to be an affiliated body to Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) so as to be recognized associations and to have professional approach.
Chokri Area Wrestling Association (CAWA) president Vezhoduyi Thisa shared that Thenyizumi Wrestling Institute under Khelo India should be an ‘Achiever Institute’ with vision.
Venuzo Dawhuo, Coach, Thenyizu Wrestling Institute (TWI) shared his experience.
Earlier, chaired by C. Theyo, welcome address was delivered by Medothi Rhakho, Village Council Chairman Thenyizu while Thepuphi Kapu gave closing remarks.
The programme was attended by State lotteries director Zhothisa Dawhuo, SP Phek Vesupra Kezo, District Sports Officer (DSO) Phek Wutsutho; EAC Chetheba Omegali, host of officers from directorate of Youth resources and sports, representatives from Chokri Area villages and others.
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