Kekhrievor is NASA U-16 wrestling champ

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Feb.7 (EMN): Kekhrievor Sekhose (5’7” feet and 70 kg) from Kohima village defeated Visoneilie Khoubve (5’3” feet and 58 kg) of Zhadima village to become the champion of the first U-16 division wrestling competition at Khuochiezie local ground in Kohima on Friday.

The competition was held as part of the two-day 61st Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA) Wrestling Meet which commenced on Thursday.

Kekhrievor took down Visoneilie twice in the final match to walk home richer with INR 20,000 as champion while Visoneilie had to be content with INR 15,000 and citations as the runner-up.

Neizo Keyho of Chedema village stood third in the competition beating Kevimhalie Chadi of Nerhema village. Neizo received INR 10,000 winning the third position while Kevimhalie pocketed INR 5,000 and citations as the fourth position holder. 

Speaking during the valedictory function of the 61st NASA Sports Meet as the guest of honour, Neiketouzo Kengurüse, advisor of NASA and PS to chief minister of Nagaland said Naga wrestling is a God given sports which is best loved by the local populace.

He narrated how the traditional game was once used as an instrument of peace and served as unconditional judgement during community disputes or when hatred arose between individuals.

Kengurüse also stated that the well-preserved Naga wrestling was passed down to present generation and ultimately became a respectable game.

He expressed optimism on learning that Naga wrestlers have been lately participating at the national belt wrestling competitions.

As the belt wrestling game involves similar techniques to Naga wrestling, the advisor urged the players to take traditional sports seriously because of wider scope at the national and international arenas.

Kengurüse later handed over prizes to the winners.

All together, 40 wrestlers participated in the junior wrestling competition. NASA ‘A’ was adjudged the group champions with 100 and half points during the two-day sports meet.

Meanwhile, the names of the new team of NASA office bearers and representatives to ASA led by president Vitsolie Keyho for the tenure 2020 – 2022 were announced.

During the two-day NASA Wrestling Meet, 15 senior and 10 junior wrestlers were selected to vie for the 48th ASA Wrestling Meet scheduled to take place from February 12 to 13 at Khuochiezie local ground.