Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 9: National traditional belt wrestling champ in 90 plus kg, Parveen Kumar has reached Nagaland to take part in the 11th Open Naga Wrestling Championship which will be held on Friday at Kohima local ground.
The heavyweight wrestler who weighs 126 kg and stands at 6.2 inches will be competing with 67 Naga wrestlers for the ultimate title. He arrived along with his coach Naval Kishore, who is also the technical director of National Traditional Wrestling Federation of India. It may be mentioned that Kishore is also an international referee in Belt Wrestling
Upon their arrival, the duo met the Nagaland Wrestling Association officials, while they also conducted a clinic on traditional belt wrestling in the presence of some Naga wrestlers.
Following the demonstration on traditional belt wrestling, coach Naval Kishore also explained to the gathering how it is played. He said traditional belt wrestling is game which is developing in India.
He informed that belt wrestling is played predominantly in Russia and central Asia including Uzbekistan and Kyrgikistan, Iran and parts of the European continent.
Here in India, he expressed happiness that the traditional belt wrestling was recently introduced in school games. Mention be made that the game was included as an event at the 3rd National School Games.
The NTWFI is a registered body under the United World Wrestling and the UWW is the mother body of Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling, he said further informing that the very game would be demonstrated at the Asian Games to be held in 2018.
As for wrestler Parveen Kumar, he has to wait till Friday to know whether he will be able to knock down our Naga wrestler in Naga wrestling style. Going by the strength of our wrestlers, it is not going to be easy tasks for the national wrestling champ as we also have some rated wrestlers in the likes of Vechita Khesoh, former Naga wrestling champ, Dzieselatuo Keretsü, reigning champ of the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling championship, Pfusatuo Tetseo, former champ of Open Naga wrestling championship. To the taste of the spectators, it will also be interesting to witness some prominent skilful wrestlers such as Rovilhulie Pier, Seketoukho Nipu, Vetazo Veswuh and Menuosetuo Yiese takes on the national belt wrestling champ parveen Kumar tomorrow at the wrestling arena.
The champion of this year’s 11th Open Naga Wrestling Tournament will fetch a cash award Rs. 1,50,000, while the second, third and fourth position winners will receive Rs. 1,00,000, Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively.
The losing quarterfinalists will be given Rs. 10,000 each, while the losing pre-quarter finalists will also receive Rs. 5,000 each. Apart from the top four winners, there will also be a separate prize for the best tactic wrestler with a cash award of Rs. 10,000.
The inaugural function will begin at 9 am with MLA Küzholüzo Azo Nienu as the chief guest, while former MLA and president of Nagaland Registered Class-1 Contractors Union, Seyiekuolie Kesiezie will grace the valedictory programme as the guest of honour.
