CWA felicitates four NEOG wrestlers

Our Correspondent 
Kohima, Nov. 17 (EMN): The Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) felicitated three medal winners and a participant in the wrestling (freestyle) at the Northeast Olympic Games (NEOG) 2022 that concluded on Wednesday. 

From the four wrestlers from the Chakhesang community, three won medals – one gold and three bronze. Ngonuyi Yhobu from Phusachodu village won gold, Kusayi Tsuto of Lower Khomi village won bronze, while Venu Ringa from Runguzu won bronze. Nedulhu Vasa from Runguzu village took part in the event.

Kehupoyo Puro, advisor CWA, former NPSC Chairman, said that Nagaland is not doing justice to the wrestling disciplines (freestyle) especially in the national championship.

 “The Nagaland Wrestling Association is not giving much importance to wrestling (freestyle), which is discouraging because this is the only discipline to the Olympics”, he said. 

He insisted NWA send wrestlers to participate in the National championship freestyle. Participation alone in the Olympics changes lives, he added.

‘If one of them can be sent to the Asian or Olympic games, there will be drastic changes in the attitude of people in the wrestling discipline. 

Wrestling is one discipline that has the potentiality to bring medals’, Puro added.

A former sportsperson himself, he recalled that during ‘early 70s there was no infrastructure or proper training but used to participate with natural build and instinct. Now, the only thing sportspersons need is getting proper training, proper facilities, and infrastructure’. 

He took a dig at the department and government for not giving “proper attention” to the sportspersons in the state. 

‘Two decades ago, Naga women and men used to get ranks in the national championship level in freestyle. Almost 20 years have passed but there is no sign of improvement. How many years since Nagaland started a wrestling academy at IG (since 2008)?’ he asked.

“There is something very wrong in the system”, Puro said.

“Unless the government does something, our Naga talents are going to be wasted for no fault of theirs”, he added.

He went on to add that “only 79 (medals) reflect the attitude of the concerned department and of the government”. 

‘The government has to introspect, otherwise the sports persons are willing to come forward and bring changes’, he added.

Meanwhile, he congratulated the participants and medal winners and told them that the achievements are because of their dedicated effort. 

He further advised them to focus on their discipline, sporting spirit, which is required to become a good sportsperson. ‘Getting medals is important but participation is also crucial,’ he said.

President CWA Vekhozo Ringa said that four wrestlers from the Chakhesang community were selected for the wrestling (freestyle) at NEOG. 

‘Though (freestyle) wrestling is not Naga style, they turn up for the selection, participated and won three medals. CWA being the parent body of the wrestling discipline in the community, has felicitated wrestlers in particular,’ he said. 

He lauded the NWA for being able to include wrestling in the NEOG and for that CWA appreciated the effort of the NWA. He also acknowledged the NOA for giving the athletes an opportunity to participate in the regional level. 

Phek District Sports Association President Nezosa Tetseo informed that the association will acknowledge all the athletes under Phek district in the 37th meet to be held in early 2023.