Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 27 (EMN): The stage is set for the showdown of the much anticipated 28th Naga Wrestling and 2nd Under-16 Naga Wrestling Championship meet, organised by the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) to be held on Monday.
The mega sports event will take place at Khouchiezhie (Local ground), Kohima from 9 am onwards.
A total of 78 wrestlers (54 wrestlers for senior category and 24 wrestlers for U-16 category) from the three units -- Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), Angami Sports Association (ASA) and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA) -- will compete for the coveted championship title.
Reigning NWA and CWA champion, Venuzo Dawhuo, ASA Champion Kezhaseluo Pienyü, ZWA Champion Nlumrai Hetwang and other prominent wrestlers including Besühveto, Huluyi D Vadeo, Pfüsato Tetseo, Kezhavizo Thevo, Mhasilhousie Nagi, Atuo Tevo and veteran wrestler Surhoneyi Soho from CWA, who is celebrating 25 years in the wrestling arena, are all set to grapple for the championship.
On the eve of the much awaited event, president of NWA, Dr. Hiabe Zeliang briefed the media and informed that there will be stricter rules on body touching wrestling (toe touching wrestling) in order to monitor and manage the bouts, while it also added that the time announcement for the bout-- for the last five seconds shall be discontinued.
It added that after the completion of the second round for senior category, the U-16 shall be played till the semi-final, after which, the third round for senior category will commence.
NWA also informed that during the bouts, no wrestlers will be allowed to have water or eatables, while still in the arena. Further, it informed that other than the team coach, no other individuals will be allowed to challenge the decision of the umpire in the event of protest on the judgment/ decision.
Further, it appealed to all the spectators in Kohima to avoid bringing vehicles, while also appealing to those spectators coming from neighbouring places and outside Kohima to park their vehicle properly in order to avoid traffic congestion. It informed that parking from NSF Office areas shall be reserved for the NWA officials, management and association officials.
The spectators are also urged to wear masks at all times and follow other SOPs.
Meanwhile, the one-day event is being managed by Pesocha Baptist Church Council Thepfüko Krotho, a conglomeration of 33 churches and one fellowship with 900 volunteers will be managing the mega event, which is the biggest crowd pulling sports event in the state.
The management informed that local and organic delicacies shall be made available along with local pork. It added that the foods and all other eatables will be available in the ground at market price rate, while Moudze and Moudi (cooked- packed meat) will also be available in the ground at a price of INR 500 each.
There will also be pay and use toilets, urinals and smoking zones for convenience, the management informed.
Prizes of the championship
The champion of the senior category will receive a cash prize of INR 3.20 lakh, championship belt along with Late Velahu Puro memorial trophy and cash prize of INR 30,000, while the second position holder will walk home with prize money of INR 2.20 lakh, third position INR 1.20 lakh and fourth position INR 1 lakh.
The quarter finalist will be awarded with a cash prize of INR 25,000 each, while the other participants, who do not receive any prize, will get a participation allowance of INR 4,000 each.
For the junior category, the champion will receive a cash prize of INR 60,000, the second position winner INR 40,000, third INR 30,000 and fourth with INR 25,000.
For the U-16 category, any student wrestler that reaches the quarter final will receive a one year scholarship of INR 1000 per month sponsored by the association to encourage that studies and sports must go hand-in-hand. Further, the participants, who do not receive any prize, will also be presented with INR 3,000 as participation allowance.
Meanwhile, Neiphiu Rio Chief Minister and president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) will be the special guest, while MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu will be the guest of honour.
The tickets for the championship are -- donor- INR 3000 per ticket (with complementary), chair (first row) - INR 1000, chair (second row)- INR 500 and gallery- INR 150.