Our Correspondent
JOTSOMA, NOVEMBER 7
The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), following age-old Naga tradition of seeking blessing from elders prior to an impending big event, today organized a grand prelude to its 25th Tournament Anniversary (2016) at RCEMPA, Phezhu (Jotsoma) by bringing together veteran wrestlers and soliciting their blessings.
According to the NWA, while friendly matches of Naga wrestling were held as early as the 1930s, the first ever well-ordered competition was recorded to have been held at Phezhu, Jotsoma in 1966 organized by the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), and the real fight for championship under the nomenclature NWA began in 1972.
On the occasion, the NWA paid rich tributes to the former Naga wrestling champions and contenders, particularly those of 1971 and earlier, who are considered as unsung heroes.Irangheung Chuilo, who participated in the 1966 competition, attended the NWA pre-celebration event today and expressed his happiness that the traditional sport has been carried forward ingenuously over the years. The octogenarian from Peren district voiced his hope that the NWA will continue to promote the sport for the future generations. It is heartening to note that this veteran wrestler has passed on his traits to his children as it was learnt that three among his four sons had followed his footsteps and have become wrestlers, competing at the NWA tournaments.
Also sharing his respect and love for the indigenous sport, wrestler of the early 1970s, Tavehü Thingo of Phek district said the Naga wrestling is not just confined as a game of physical dexterity but was used as a means to settle disputes as well as to generate camaraderie amongst the people from different villages and communities.
While acknowledging that the sport has the word “Naga” tagged with it but only three tribes used to participate in the competitions in the past, the veteran wrestler said he is encouraged to note that more Naga tribes are showing keen interest in the sport today. He called upon all the wrestlers, particularly the former champions to continue to inspire the younger generations so as to promote love and peace among the Nagas through the sport.
Duolhounyü Chase, another veteran wrestler (1971) from Kohima district, recalls that during the initial years of the competition, each wrestler had to engage in 12-13 wrestling bouts as they were given ample opportunity to prove their prowess. However, he said, as the sport gained popularity and increase in the number of wrestlers, rules had to be improvised. He expressed enthusiasm that the more professionalised game now will be taken to new heights and popularize not just the sport but the name of the Nagas as well.
Minister for Social Security & Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie who graced the pre-celebrations as the chief guest termed Naga wrestling “one of the most identifiable and popular indigenous game”, which had been practiced commonly by “our forefathers” to make friendship and establish peace between individuals and villages. He remarked on the need to frame rules and regulations for the game so that it can be promoted at the national and international levels, and even at the Olympics.
Coming to more pressing issues, the minister acknowledged that Nagas are naturally talented but most youngsters have not been able to explore and develop their potentials due to lack of proper facilities and infrastructure for training.
“We are living in a world where sports have become a multi-billion dollar industry, sustaining the economies of many western countries,” he said, and he further expressed hope that the Naga youth too will one day attain huge recognition and help transform the state’s economy as well as the mindset of those who are in need of finding a specific purpose and direction in their lives.
He further called upon all the wrestlers to exude the true sporting spirit not just in the ring but inculcate it in everyday life and inspire others.
NWA acknowledged 9 veteran wrestlers from 1966-71 who attended the pre-celebration programme- Irangheung Zeliang (1966), Aguo Keyho (1967), Tavehu Thingo (1968-70s), M Nakhro (1971), R Chusi (1971), Z Mero (1971), Thepfulhoutuo (1971), Duolhunyu (1971), and Neizetuo (1971). Many of the veterans are reported to have served and retired as teachers/trainers in different capacities under the state education department.
The Nagaland Wrestling Championship, organized by the NWA and also called as the ‘NWA Tournament’ is held every alternate year (since 1971). The NWA is set to observe the 25th NWA Tournament Anniversary in March 2016, and going by the records, the occasion will also coincide with the 50th year mark of the 1966 Phezhu event.
Nagaland Wrestling Championship is the highest level wrestling tournament in the state. The tournament is a clash of the best amongst the bests from the affiliated units of NWA. A wrestler participating in the NWA Championship is accorded high respect by the peers and the people in general as they are selected for the main tournament through multiple qualifying play-offs starting from the clan/khel- village – range- tribe- district then to the state level.
The association officials have informed that the 25th NWA Tournament Anniversary 2016 champion will likely fetch a whooping cash prize of Rs.5,00,000 as a one-time enhancement for the anniversary year.
The traditional Naga Style Wrestling is one of the oldest indigenous games which is still popularly played and religiously followed by the Tenyimia community, and has, in the recent years drawn the attention of other Naga tribes as well as wrestlers from outside the state.
The programme was chaired by Nuzota Swuro, convener of the organizing committee while Jotsoma Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Zakiebeinyü Peseyie invoked God’s blessing. NWA president Neikhrolo Khalo and vice president Neivikuolie Khatsü also spoke on the occasion. Cultural troupes from all the constituent units of NWA also presented their traditional cultural items.
