Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 7: The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) is all set to organise the 11th Open Naga Wrestling Championship on March 10 at Kohima local ground.
With Tuesday (March 7) being the last date of submission of registration form, a total of 68 wrestlers has already registered their entry to compete at the one-day championship. However, the NWA will continue to entertain the participation of more wrestlers from other states and those Naga tribes which are not affiliated to NWA. The registration of wild card entries will continue till the eve of the championship day, it was informed.
Some prominent wrestlers who will be taking part in the championship are Vechita Khesoh, Pfusato Tetseo, Dzieselatuo Keretsü, Rovilhulie Pier, Nlumrai Hegwang, Zasituo Tsükrü, Seketoukho Nipu, Vetazo Veswüh, Keduovilie Zumu and Besühveto Cümu.
The total cash award for this year’s NWA open wrestling championship is fixed at Rs. 4.60 lakhs. The champion will fetch a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000, sponsored by CASE Construction, Dimapur, while the 1st runner-up will receive Rs. 1 lakh, sponsored by Kelei Zeliang, IAS, Government of Nagaland.
The third and fourth position winners will be given Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 50,000, being sponsored by Dr. Zase Chüsi, nodal officer, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and K. Francis Zeliang respectively.
The losing quarterfinalists win a cash incentive of Rs. 10,000 each, sponsored by Er Achakbou Newmai, while the losing pre-quarterfinalists will also be given Rs. 5,000 each, sponsored by Dr. Ilang Iheilung, deputy director, Dept of AH&VS.A major attraction for this year’s championship is that there will be a special award of Rs. 10,000 for the ‘Best tactic wrestler’, which will be sponsored by the NWA.
To make it more attractive, only a selected section of the crowd would be allowed to vote for the best tactic wrestler. The eligible voters are the donor ticket holders, two representatives from each the three NWA affiliating units (Preferably President & Secretary) and all the NWA officials.
The voting for the best tactic wrestler will end with the quarterfinal round. Hereafter, the organisers will start collecting the voter’s ballot slip which will be issued prior to hand.
Meanwhile, the NWA have asked all the wrestlers to report on the ground on 9th March at 2 pm, while the tournament officials are also requested to report at the venue at 3 pm on March 9 for the briefing. Those officials absent during the briefing session would be replaced, it was informed.
The jury board members for the tournament are Viliehu Nguzhü, Rangsam N. Hau and Kukhoyto Venyo, while the referees are Keneingulie Nagi, Hüvesü Puro, Hangcheu Zeliang and the field judges are Khrielakuolie, Visakrol Vistu, Echungbe Rao, Teilubi, Wezhepe Wetsah and Vecüsüyi Chüzho
The announcers are Neidilhoutuo Sechü and Thupukrayi Nienu, while the time keepers are Neikeselie Punyü, Mülüvüto Medeo and Keheizierang. The belt binders are Vekuto Nyekha, Nlumbe Guing, Petevituo Lhoungu and Pekruneituo Krose, and the runners are Valepra Shijoh and Railong.
On the day, the wrestlers and officials are asked to be seated by 8.30 am, and the programme will commence at 9 am.
The inaugural function would be graced by MLA Küzholüzo Azo Nienu as teh chief guest, while former minister Seyiekuolie Kesiezie, who is also the president of Nagaland Government Registered Class-1 Contractors Union, will be the guest of honour.
The one-day event will be hosted by the Zeliang Wrestling Association, while the ground management will be taken care by the Angami Catholic Union – SFS Church, Kohima Town.
The ticket for donor, chair and gallery are priced at Rs. 2000, Rs. 500 and Rs 100 respectively.
The 2015 Open Naga Wrestling tournament was the 9th championship. However, the NWA president Neivikuolie Khatsü and general secretary Vekhozo have clarified to the media persons that this year’s edition is counted as the 11th championship as the past records have failed in mentioning the record of the 1995 edition. This was done with the consensus of all the former leaders and the affiliating units, it informed.
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Adding attraction to this year’s edition of the NWA Open Naga Wrestling Championship, one prominent belt wrestler champion Parveen Kumar from New Delhi will be participating at the tournament. Also a Konyak wrestler Yn Shahyong will be making his debut at the wrestling championship.
Both national and international wrestlers have participated in the past Hornbill Naga wrestling championship, but it may be mentioned that this is the first time ever that a wrestler from the mainland India is taking part at the Open Naga wrestling championship.
To his credit, Parveen Kumar is a winner of the national belt wrestling champion in 90 plus kg. He will be accompanied by coach Naval Kishore, technical secretary of Traditional Belt Wrestling Federation of India and who is also an international referee.
