Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 15
One of the only weight categories of the traditional Naga style wrestling event, Naga WrestleMania-4 (King of the ring Series 2015) organised by Elite Entertainment Enterprise (3E) has been scheduled to be held from October 29 to 31, 2014 at Kohima Local ground (Khouchiezie). NWM is organised annually since 2012 by 3E (Elite Entertainment Enterprise) Nagaland and under the aegis of Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA).
Announcing the dates today at de Oriental Grand here this evening along with his 10-team members, Managing Director of 3E Kethosietuo (Elvis) Mepfhüo said total prize money amounting to Rs. 5.25 lakh has been set earmarked for winners in different categories of the mania, he said. The break-up of awards is as follows – Champion – Rs. 50000 with belt, runners-up – Rs. 30000 and losing semi-finalist – Rs. 10000 each for the three weight categories.
The wrestle mania would have weight categories as follows – Lightweight - Below 65 kg; Middleweight – 65 to 78 kg and heavyweight – above 78 kg with attractive awards in the form of cash and wrestling belts.
The prizes for the King of Ring Series are: Champion – Rs. 75,000 with belt and motorbike; runners-up – Rs. 50,000 and losing semi-finalist – Rs. 20,000 each.
Elvis also informed that if the number of participants crosses the expected limit, the organizers would be closing the entry anytime before the scheduled last date of submission of forms (July 31).
He said registration of interested wrestlers from within and outside the state would start from June 1 while the last date of submission of forms is July 31, 2015. He informed that interested wrestlers can get themselves registered by depositing Rs. 500 as registration fee along with security deposit of Rs. 1000 (refundable unless forfeited for by-law violation) in all the three categories of championship. The registration costs Rs. 50.
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 while outlets outside Kohima are Peren – Youth Snooker Café & Restaurant, Near Jagdish Bus Counter, Jalukie; Dimapur – Universal Sports, Church Road and Phek – Life Centre, Near Cooperative Bank, Pfutsero Town.
Further, Elvis informed that with a view to promote the Naga style of wrestling this time round, the organizers would be extending invitations to wrestlers beyond the Nagaland to neighbouring states and the states having wrestling federation.
He also informed that beyond the four wrestling Naga tribe (Angami, Chakhesang, Poumai and Zeliang), the organizers would be conducting special coaching camps for the wrestlers from outside the state and other non-wrestling tribes within the State.
He also informed that the wrestlers in different weight categories will have to be ready with the following colour of shorts to get into the arena: Lightweight – Blue, Middleweight – white and Heavy weight – maroon.
Elvis informed that besides the initial weight category sought by the wrestlers, the organizers would be conducting the final weight measurement of all registered wrestlers for placement into different categories during the last seven days of commencement of the event, for which the interested wrestlers have to physically present.
Elvis said that outstation wrestlers can get registered online, but will have to be present personally for the final weight measurement.
Interested participants can get further information through the official website of the organizers www.3enagaland.org or facebook page/group – 3enagaland, he added.
For the King of the Ring Series, he said that 16 wrestlers each from all the weight categories would be selected. Nonetheless, he said that in case of lesser number of wrestlers from any of the weight categories, wild card entry would be permitted from other categories to complete the best 48 wrestlers for the final series.
On the conduct of Junior category, which was held for the first time in the 3rd edition last year, he said the organizers are constrained to cancel it as they have found unfair practices of age tempering in the category, and also the helplessness of the organizers to check such practices which has defeated the purpose of nurturing and encouraging youngsters into the traditional game spirit.
