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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 24 (EMN): The 27th Nagaland Wrestling Association Championship and first U-16 Naga Wrestling 2020 with INR. 12 lakhs worth prize money will be held from March 10 to the 11th at Khouchiezhie (local ground) Kohima.
This was announced by NWA president, Neivikuolie Khatsu during a press conference held at its office AMK building Kohima on Monday, which was also attended by NWA general secretary Vekhozo.
Khatsu disclosed that the championship will be attended by Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio as special guest that also coincide with the 50 years formation of Nagaland Wrestling Association.
The inaugural function will take place on March 10 that would also witness the senior category wrestling, while on March 11, the U-16 category championship will take place.
Senior category
18 wrestlers each representing the Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association and Zeliang Wrestling Association will vie for the coveted title.
The champion will receive INR 3 lakhs along with Lt. Velahu Puro Memorial Trophy and INR 30,000 while the first runner-up, second runner-up and the fourth position will receive INR will pocket INR 2 lakhs, INR 1 lakhs and INR 80,000 respectively. The losing quarter finalist will be awarded INR 10,000 each.
U-16 category
For the first time, the Nagaland Wrestling Association is organising the U-16 Naga Wrestling and each participating team will be represented by 12 wrestlers each.
The champion will pocket INR 50,000, while the second, third and fourth position will receive INR 30,000, INR 20,000 and INR 15,000 respectively.
A first of its kind, all the quarter finalist will get a scholarship of INR 1,000 each per month for one year for which the NWA officials maintained that, “this scholarship was initiated so as to encourage the wrestlers that sports and studies must go hand in hand.”
More initiatives
The NWA also stated that all participants (wrestlers) will also be presented with INR 3,000 for senior category and INR 2,000 each along with NWA memento, sash and citation.
The four winners of each category will also be awarded with medals viz. Champion- Gold, Second-Silver and Third and Fourth with Bronze medal.
“A trail room for the wrestlers with visual facility would be made available therein, so as to let the wrestlers have their warm session”, said the official.
Pay and watch
The association has also come out with new initiatives that would promote and facilitate wrestling lovers and fraternity that, it is coming up with a live-telecast facility for outstation audience.
In this regard the NWA officials told that the facility would be accessible across the world with pay and watch, per hour.
Management and tickets
The NWA president also said that this year’s edition would be managed by the Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kohima and further informed that tickets for the championship are already on sale.
The price of the tickets for the Donors are INR 3,000 (with complimentary refreshment), Chairs; front- INR 1000, behind- INR 500 and gallery will be INR 100. The tickets will be valid for both day’s i.e March 10 and the 11th.
Invitation and appeals
With the 27th NWA Championship that also coincides with the 50 years existence of NWA, the president and his hosts of executives have extended its invitation to all its former NWA officials to attend and witness the spectacular event.
Also in view of the traffic congestions that are to be likely to be caused, the NWA officials had in advance urged the public within Kohima to come walking and neighbouring villages to use through public transportation so as not to cause traffic commotion in the city.
Further, the NWA officials said that faulty vehicles and parking in restricted areas during the wrestling dates shall be towed away by Kohima Traffic Police.