NWA announces schedule for 30th Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship in Kohima. Champion to win land plot at Chümoukedima and cash prize.
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KOHIMA — The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) is set to host the 30th NWA Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship, the 1st NWA Under-15 Championship, the 1st NWA Provisional Championship, and the 1st Wrestling Festival 2026 at Khuochiezie, Kohima Local Ground, on March 6 and 7.
Announcing the details at the NWA office, New Secretariat, Kohima, on Tuesday, the executive members informed that Minister of Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Imna Along will be the special guest on the first day.
For the first time, in the provisional championship category, eight wrestlers each from all the provisional units of NWA—Lotha Wrestling Association, Rengma Wrestling Association, Sumi Wrestling Association, Pochury Wrestling Association, Chang Wrestling Association, and Sangtam Wrestling Association—will compete for the first Naga Traditional Wrestling title on March 6.
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Simultaneously on the first day, the under-15 category will see eight wrestlers each from the three affiliated units of NWA, comprising the Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA), competing for the championship. The 1st Wrestling Festival 2026 is powered by the Department of Tourism, Nagaland.
On the second day, March 7, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the special guest, and the President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Sanjay Kumar Singh, will be the guest of honour. The officials informed that 18 players each from the three affiliated units—ASA, CWA, and ZWA—will compete for the 30th NWA Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship.
Addressing the format, the members clarified that the NWA has introduced two distinct categories to preserve traditional practices while aligning with international standards: Naga Traditional Wrestling and Naga Wrestling.
The Naga Traditional Wrestling category will retain its original form without women's participation, preserving the customs of the Angami, Chakhesang, Zeliang, and other Tenyimi tribes. This format will be played in the upcoming championship.
The Naga Wrestling category is introduced to meet United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee guidelines, including women's participation, weight categories, and a point system.
The NWA announced that a total of INR 30 lakh has been allocated as cash awards for the upcoming events. For the main championship category, the champion will receive a plot of land in Chümoukedima measuring 100 ft x 100 ft, donated by Tepuleho Pusa, along with a cash prize of INR 3 lakh.
The runner-up will receive INR 3 lakh, the third position INR 2 lakh, and the fourth position INR 1.5 lakh. Quarter-finalists will receive INR 20,000 each, while participants will receive INR 10,000 each. The group champion will be awarded INR 30,000.
In the under-15 championship category, the champion will receive INR 1 lakh, the runner-up INR 80,000, the third position INR 60,000, and the fourth position INR 40,000. Quarter-finalists will receive INR 10,000 each, and participants INR 5,000 each.
For the Provisional Championship category, the champion will be awarded INR 2 lakh, the runner-up INR 1 lakh, the third position INR 80,000, and the fourth position INR 60,000. Quarter-finalists will receive INR 10,000 each, participants INR 5,000 each, and the best team INR 30,000.
The NWA informed that matches will be broadcast live via a pay-per-view system partnered with Ahibi.com. The rate is set at INR 49 for the first day and INR 199 for the second day. Warning against piracy, they stated that individuals caught livestreaming or uploading videos will be penalised. Attendees were requested to paste their mobile numbers on their vehicle windscreens for traffic management.
Nicholas Neivikuie Khatsü, representing the Angami Catholic Union, which is managing the ground, stated that the seating capacity is estimated at 15,000.
Ticket rates for the first day range from INR 100 for back row chairs to INR 50,000 for VIP boxes. For the second day, tickets are priced at INR 200 for back row chairs, INR 500 for front row chairs, INR 1,000 for the premium gallery, INR 2,000 for the donor gallery and floor donors, INR 10,000 for well-wishers, and INR 1 lakh for a VIP box seating five people. LED screens measuring 10x12 feet will be displayed on all four sides of the arena.