James PK Sangma will attend the Chakhesang Wrestling Association Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship at Pfutsero Sports Complex on February 7.
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KOHIMA — James PK Sangma, National Working President of the National People’s Party (NPP), will grace the 30th Senior and 4th Under-15 Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship 2026 to be held at the Pfutsero Sports Complex on February 7.
The championship is being organised by the Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) under the aegis of the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA).
Sangma, who also serves as Vice President of the Council of State Industrial Development and Investment Corporations of India, Chairman of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation and President of the Meghalaya Cricket Association, will attend the event as special guest.
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The CWA said the event holds historical significance in view of the longstanding bond between the Chakhesang community and the Sangma family. In 2000, late Purno A Sangma, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and father of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with James PK Sangma, had attended the 53rd General Conference-cum-2000 AD Celebration of the Chakhesang Students’ Union at Porba village as chief guest.
Coincidentally, the ground management of the 30th Senior and 4th Under-15 Championship will also be handled by the Porba Wrestling Association.
Meanwhile, National Secretary of the NPP and Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Saidul Khan, in a letter addressed to the CWA president, said that in view of the bond between the Chakhesang people and late PA Sangma, who had graced the CSU conference in 2000, the party could not decline the invitation. The letter confirmed that James PK Sangma would attend the wrestling meet.
CWA general secretary Kukhoto Venyo said that during the championship, 12 prominent wrestlers from each area — Venuzo Dawhuo, Vethozo Lohe, Hȕluyi Vadeo, Wetilo Wetsa and Venu Vadeo — are expected to feature in the senior category. He said the top four wrestlers in the Under-15 category from each area will also compete in the junior category.
Venyo said the CWA has, for the first time, introduced incentives to encourage wrestlers. In the senior category, the winner of each bout from the first round till the pre-quarterfinal round will receive INR 1,000, while the champion of the CWA wrestling meet will pocket INR 2.5 lakh, besides rewards for each bout.
He said the second position holder will be awarded INR 1.7 lakh, the third position holder INR 1.3 lakh and the fourth position holder INR 1 lakh, along with rewards for each bout.
In the Under-15 category, the champion will receive INR 50,000, the second position holder INR 30,000, the third position holder INR 15,000 and the fourth position holder INR 10,000, while quarterfinalists will receive INR 5,000 each.
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The group champion will be awarded INR 20,000 and the Best Discipline Team will receive INR 10,000.
Hukhoneyi Soho will be the chief referee, while Nagaland Wrestling Referee Board referees Huvesu Puro, Lhuvenu Phesao, Vechita Khesoh, Vekhrieyi Chuzho, Surhoneyi Soho, Zacuta Puro, Seyielhoukho Sechȕ and Khrietuolie Usou will officiate at the championship.