Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 28 (EMN): Venuzo Dawhuo from Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) retained his championship title after defeating Mhasilhusie Nagi of Angami Sports Association (ASA) in the final of the 28th Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) championship amidst a capacity crowd at Khuochiezie ground in Kohima on Monday evening.
Winning both the bouts over Nagi, Dawhuo, who also lifted the 27th NWA title, received the championship belt along with a cash prize of INR 3, 20,000 and Late Velahü Puro Memorial Trophy with INR 30,000 in addition.
Nagi received INR 2, 20,000 as the runner-up after entering into the final defeating Pfüsato Tetseo of CWA in the second semi-final match.
Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü of ASA received INR 1, 20,000, while Tetseo received INR 1,00,000 as the third and fourth position holders respectively.
All quarterfinalists were also handed a cash award of INR 25,000 each, while INR 4,000 each, was also given to all the other participants who did not receive any prize.
Thuputha Hesuh emerges Under-16 champion
Thuputha Hesuh emerged as the winner in the U-16 category and received INR 60,000, while Küvetsüto Kezo received INR 40,000 as the runner-up. Zhoveto Nakro and Mudozo Tetseo received INR 30,000 and INR 25,000 as the third and fourth position title holders respectively.
All the title winners in the junior category represented CWA.
Other participating wrestlers, who did not receive any prize were given INR 3,000 each.
Earlier, NWA informed that any student wrestler that reached the quarter final round will receive a one year scholarship of INR 1000 per month, stating that this is to encourage that studies and sports must go hand in hand.
At the end of the competition, ASA and CWA emerged as the group champion in the senior and junior wrestling categories respectively.
Every space in the gallery was occupied by spectators who arrived early, while others sat on the floor and many were seen standing to witness the mega event as volunteers continued to sell gallery tickets.
The crowd was impatient as judges had a hard time trying to resolve "protests" raised by the officials in favour of the respective wrestlers, which continued to delay the competition.
A spectator was overheard shouting to carry on with the match in the midst of a protest, reasoning that he needed to travel 17 km to go back home. Another shouted "time bisi khai ase" in Nagamese meaning "it's consuming a lot of time".
Some tetchy fans began throwing bottles as the protest delayed the event for almost an hour. Protests could be raised against the judges over their decision in determining the bouts with video review.
A 90-year-old CWA fan from Pfütsero, who was trying to pass through the crowd after the final match, happily said that he enjoyed watching all the games, while traffic congestion in the town increased as the competition began to progress.
Despite spectators being reminded to enjoy the event without alcohol through a notification written at the entry gates, many were seen in inebriated condition. Many fans were also seen urinating everywhere due to lack of public toilets around the ground.
Government with sportspersons — Rio
Earlier, chief minister Neiphiu Rio as the special guest, said that the government is with sportspersons and lauded NWA for including U-16 event to be part of the wrestling meet, which according to him would encourage the promotion of wrestling.
Maintaining that the indigenous Naga style wrestling is the "biggest crowd-puller" for any game in the state, he asked the need to introduce the sport in other tribes, saying that wrestling has a variety of fans including those from other tribes as well as tourists.
Appreciating that wrestlers have brought laurels to the state after their participation in a national-level belt wrestling event, Rio asked NWA to identify youths who have potential in such body contact sports in other districts besides Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliang regions.
The chief minister also informed that the government is planning to construct an international standard indoor stadium in the model of a sumo wrestling stadium. He apprised that the facility can host all kinds of events.
He reminded the wrestlers to be 'proud as they are the ambassadors of Naga people', who are promoting the traditional wrestling, "which is the most popular game in the state".
Rio, further reminded that to be a wrestler, one doesn't need a big infrastructure but dedication and discipline besides the necessity of learning tactics and building strength and stamina.
President of NWA, Hiabe Zeliang, expressed happiness that the government is giving "due importance" to sports fraternity and also to various disciplines not forgetting the indigenous wrestling.
He was appreciative of the state government which came up with a "magnificent office building" for Nagaland Olympic Association to provide an infrastructure to many disciplines and has also been gearing up to initiate a sports battalion in the state.
MLA Küzholüzo Nienu attended the event as the guest of honour. Altogether, 18 wrestlers each from ASA, CWA and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA) competed in the senior division, while eight each from the three units vied for the junior category.