14th Open Naga Wrestling, 1st Belt Wrestling Championship to be held in Dimapur

The 14th Open Naga Wrestling and 1st Belt Wrestling Championship Meet 2023 will be held at Dimapur Multi-disciplinary Sports Complex for the first time on March 17 and 18.

 This year, the event is being organised by Naga Wrestling Association (NWA), hosted by Zeliang Wrestling Association and co-hosted by Kuda Village Council.

The president of Nagaland Wrestling Association, Hiabe Zeliang, addressing a press conference on Saturday at Hotel Tragopan, Dimapur informed that the belt wrestling championship will be held on March 17 and Naga wrestling on March 18. He informed that the total prize money for the two disciplines amounts to INR 8, 42, 000, and participants’ allowance may come up to INR 2 lakh. In Naga wrestling, the first prize is kept at INR 2, 10, 000, INR 1, 60, 000 for second prize, INR 1, 10, 000 for third prize, INR 80, 000 for the fourth prize and the four quarter-finalists will receive INR 10,000 each.

He informed that there will be only one category under Nagaland wrestling this time. In belt wrestling the prize categories are INR 10,000 for gold, INR 7000 for silver and INR 5000 for bronze. He said all the participants will receive citations and the position holders will receive cash awards along with citations.

In belt wrestling, there will be 11 categories; seven for men and four for women. The categories for men are 49 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 76 kg, 85 kg and 100 plus kg categories; and 49 kg, 50 kg, 53 kg and 63 kg above for women.

He also informed that Timikha Koza, president of Tenyimi People’s Organisation, has consented to be the inaugural guest on the first day and they have approached Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang for the second day, and they anticipating them to be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

He said this time, they will live stream the entire programme for two days through Paid Per View (PPP) co-partnered by Vi Techs, and the viewers can enter the portal through https:mytvshows.in.

He informed that the rate for the Pay Per View (PPV) is INR 300 for one day and INR 500 for two days.

He also informed that there are five wrestlers from Manipur who will be competing in the belt wrestling category, adding that star wrestlers and reigning champions like Venuzo Dawhuo, Kezhaselhou-o Pienyü and other prominent wrestlers will also be taking part in the competition.

Registration forms are being given out free and it can be collected from sports world opposite Baroda Bank Kohima and Colour Studio Tinpati in Kohima; United Sports Agency Nyamo Lotha road in Dimapur;, Ada grocery in Jalukie; S Printer Paradise near transport office in Phek; Life centre bakery Pfutsero, CP Stationery Chozuba town.

They have extended the form submission to Match 16 afternoon, and all the participants have been requested to be in Dimapur. Weight measurements will be done on March 16 at 2 pm at the venue, followed by briefing for tournament officials.

All the winners of various categories in the belt wrestling will automatically qualify to represent the state at national level, he informed. Dimapur, March 11 (EMN)

The ticket system at the venue is INR 2000 for donors, chair ticket INR 500 for two days, and INR 100 for gallery per day. The programme will start at 10 am, it was informed.

The press conference was addressed by Vilekhobio, general secretary; Kevi Kenneth, property secretary; Amos Pame, joint Secretary and Chekrongyoi Theyo, press secretary.