Stage all set for 29th NWA Championship 2024

KOHIMA — The stage is set for the 29th Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) Championship to be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Tuesday.

The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated wrestling event will start on March 26 at 9 am.

As many as 54 top wrestlers, comprising 18 each from Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA) will participate in the championship.

President of World Alysh Federation, Adilet Bayaman Uulu will be the chief guest of the event, which the honoured guests are President of UWW World Belt Wrestling Committee, Cholpan Sultanbekova and President of Asian Alysh Federation, President of AIT WPF and Member of UWW World Belt Wrestling Committee, Omarmukhtar Tamboli.

 Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), will be the host and Deputy CM TR Zeliang is co-host, while Tenyimi legislators will be the patrons.

For the first time, the NWA has selected a nonagenarian from Chedema village, Mamho Chakruno, as the Championship Ambassador.

Defending NWA Champion Venuzo Dawhuo, who is also the reigning CWA Champion, will participate to defend the title and will be the torch bearer of the event along with Kezhaselu-o Pienyii, ASA Champion, and Nlumrai Hegwang, ZWA Champion.

The prize money for the coveted NWA championship title is INR 3.2 lakh along with Lt Velahü Puro Memorial Trophy and INR 30,000, taking the total to INR 3.5 lakh, along with citations. The first runner-up will be awarded with INR 2.20 lakh, INR 1.50 lakh for third position holder and INR 1.20 lakh for fourth position holder along with citations.

The losing quarter-finalists will receive INR 25,000 each and the group champion will fetch INR 30,000.

This year’s edition NWA Championship is managed by Botsa Baptist Church.

The ticket price for Donor is INR 3000 (admit one with packages), INR 1000 and INR 500 for the chairs, and INR 100 in gallery. Wrestling fans can also watch the event live virtually through Pay-per-view (PPV) by logging in to www.mytvshows.in by paying INR 200. In the event of need for technical assistance/ support, the wrestling enthusiasts can contact +91 8798 937 450.

Spectators will be provided vehicle parking facilities and ensure hassle-free entry and exit at the hockey ground, for which parking charge will be levied. The NWA officials had earlier requested wrestling fans exhibit the best conduct and discipline at the venue and enjoy the matches.

Meanwhile, a new team of NWA officials for the tenure 2024-28 will also be announced at the event.