Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 5 (EMN): Inclement weather played spoilsport during the Naga-style wrestling, which is one of the most anticipated events of the ongoing 63rd Northern Angami Sports Association (Nasa) meet at Khuochiezie (Kohima local ground) on Saturday.
After the third round of junior (U-16) category and second round of senior division, heavy downpour compelled the Nasa officials to postpone the competition to Feb. 7 at the same venue from 7:30 am onwards.
Speaking at the event earlier, MLA Khriehu Liezietsu said that out of the different games and sports in the world, Naga-style wrestling, which originated from the state, is a unique one.
‘Pioneers introduced the traditional men’s wrestling to be competed from village to regional-level to be promoted to state-level as an open event’, he added.
He therefore congratulated all the wrestlers who took part in the event and promoted the sport passed on by the forefathers.
Urging the wrestlers to exhibit their best, Liezietsu reminded that losers should not get discouraged but try harder to win titles in future events.
He also called upon the wrestlers to lead a disciplined life both on and off the ring, as ‘they are the source of inspiration to many’.
‘In our land, wrestlers are admired the most; we look up to them’, Liezietsu said, adding that wrestlers must set examples even during other times.
While in olden times, wrestlers were made to maintain rigid diets, he was appreciative that the grapplers are more mindful about their intake of food today.
Asserting that the sequence of wrestling is held barely for three months, he emphasised on the need to conduct seasonal wrestling more as a regular event for upcoming wrestlers to take it as a profession to support their livelihood.
Until Saturday (day-5), Nasa ‘A’ is leading the medal tally with 71 medals (29 gold, 24 silver and 18 bronze). While Nasa ‘D’, which was at the bottom earlier, jumped to the second spot (six gold and five silver).
Nasa ‘B’ stands in third position (four gold, three silver and four bronze), while Nasa ‘C’ are in fourth position (two gold, nine silver and three bronze).