Principal Correspondent
Kohima, September 7
The much awaited Naga Wrestle Mania (NWM)-3 (King of the Ring Series), the only wait categorized Naga style wrestling is all scheduled to be held on November 3 and 4 at Khouchiezie (Local Ground) Kohima.
NWM is organised annually since 2012 by 3E (Elite Entertainment Enterprise) Nagaland and under the aegis of Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA).
Announcing this during a press conference at 3E Office, Dzevi Building, Opposite UBC, Managing Director of 3E, Kethosituo Elvis Mepfhüo, in presence of his colleagues, today said, the wrestle mania would have weight categories as follows – Lightweight - Below 65 kg; Middleweight – 65 to 78 kg and heavyweight – above 78 kg.
He also announced that the third edition would witness added feature of Junior category (without weight classification) for wrestlers aged 14 years and below.
Asked on the motive behind introduction of Junior category, he said, it has been done with an intention of nurturing the younger wrestlers to be help interested younger generation in catching up with the style and techniques of Naga style wrestling and prepare themselves for the future contest.
He said registration of interested wrestlers from within and outside the state would start from September 10 with last date as October 10, 2014. He informed that interested wrestlers can get themselves registered by depositing Rs. 500 as registration fee along with security deposit of Rs. 1000 (refundable) for lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight categories. Junior wrestlers can register with Rs. 100, but they would not be charged with security deposit, he added.
Total prize money amounting to Rs. 5.24 lakh has been set earmarked for winners in different categories of the mania, he said. The break is as follows – Champion – Rs. 50000, runners-up – Rs. 30000 and losing semi-finalist – Rs. 10000 each for all weight categories. Junior: Champion – Rs 10000; runners-up Rs. 5000 and losing semi-finalist – Rs. 2000 each.
The prizes for the King of Ring Series are: Champion – Rs. 70,000 with motorbike; runners-up – Rs. 50,000 and losing semi-finalist – Rs. 20,000 each.
Expressing that the number of days for the competition has been cut down to two-days as requested by NWA, Elvis also informed that if the number of participants crosses the expected limit, the organizers would be conducting preliminary rounds so that the desired number of participants can compete during the two-days. He said the preliminary round would be decided only after the closing of last date of registration, i.e. October 10, 2014. He, however said that, since the days has been curtained to only two, the competition would also be held till late night under proper light arrangements.
He also informed that that interested wrestlers can collect and submit forms at 3E Office, Dzevi Building 2nd Floor, Opposite UBC, near Local Ground (North Gate) Kohima. Interested participants can get further information through their official website www.3enagaland.org or facebook page/group – 3enagaland, Elvis added.
