Belt wrestling and Freestyle to be played

The Angami Sports Association (ASA) will organise its 51^st meet on February 15 at Amphitheatre Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in Kohima district.

This year’s edition will witness freestyle wrestling both for men and women and belt wrestling for men in various categories.

The announcement was made by ASA president, Lhoubeizo Kesiyie, in the presence of his colleagues on Saturday at Chekrovolu Hall of Motivation at Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) building in Kohima.

Kesiyie said the event will be a first of its kind- organising belt wrestling in different categories- and stated that Nagas have the potential to excel and represent the country to become professional as it is being held in categories- weight wise.

Pointing out that belt wrestling started from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with the view to train the people, he stated that ASA intended to bring two players from those two countries to train players in the form of coaching camp for both men and women in various categories. He added that they are expected to arrive in the state by March end.

Realising the potential that Nagas have in freestyle, he informed that ASA would train them to become professionals. During ASA meet, freestyle wrestling would also be played.

Read: ASA felicitates North East Olympic medallists

Related: Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü wins Angami Sports Association 50th meet senior wrestling

As Naga players have shown a great feat in the last Indian best wrestling by winning medals and having a huge scope to represent and play for the country at international level, he said ASA has come up with the idea to train players to become professional wrestlers in various categories.

He was of the view that through games and sports, Naga wrestlers could become self-reliant. Stating that Nagas can do better in certain disciplines, he asked the players to be submissive by working hard to bring laurels.

It informed that four teams from four ranges including Northern Angami Sports’ Association (NASA), Southern Angami Sports’ Association (SASA), Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) and Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO) will be participating in this meet represented by 60 players each along with their officials.

The players will be competing in about 30 categories, both for men and women, and the players will be rewarded with cash prize money.

The management for the meet will be Southern Angami Youth Union (SAYU) Christian Revival Church and an entry fee will be levied to the spectators a sum of INR 100 for gallery while there will be different prices for chairs and donors.

Pelesielie Khezhie, president of Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU), will be the special guest of the inaugural session, while Roko Angami, president of Nagaland Football Coaches’ Association (NFCA), will be the guest of honour of the valedictory function. (Kohima, EMN)