Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) felicitated the winners of the 1st All India Traditional Wrestling and Pankration Federation (AITWPF) Cup, which was held at Raipur in Chhattisgarh from 12th to 15th May 2022, at the Nagaland Olympic Association Complex Kohima on 6th June 2022.
Secretary-General, Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and Associate Vice President, Athletics Federation India (AFI), Abu Metha congratulated the Nagaland wrestlers and the NWA for bringing laurel to the state and winning the 3rd position during AITWPF Federation Cup. He said through the detailed reports from the team officials about the challenges the participants faced in other states and countries, he felt that they need to introspect and look back on how they have performed and to do better in the future.
He said wrestling is a traditional sport that our forefathers have played and brought them, communities, villages, and tribes together and added that it is a sport that is deeply rooted in the Naga society, culture, heritage, and way of life and a part of our history and tradition. He emphasized that every Naga citizen especially in areas where wrestling is played is a stakeholder in wrestling and Nagaland Wrestling Association but the real stakeholders of wrestling are the rural Naga population, he stated.
Abu Metha pointed out that the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) is for everyone and that has a huge responsibility as the association being the guardian of a legacy that exemplifies the Naga heritage and culture. He also said we should understand the dynamics of sports as sports unify the human race and as Nagas today are yearning for unity and peace, we can use sports and wrestling as a platform to unify the Nagas. Abu said Naga wrestling teaches respect to the players but today sports are not the same as players are more at winning medals and championships than making friendships. He also called upon the players and the officials to implement their learning from exposure by teaching the others which can make the Nagas rise and excel in sports. He also dwelled that sports today is a science that is no longer a hobby or a recreation as it has technical aspects and a strategic point of view and that a sports team should have more officials like sports managers, administration, videographers, physiotherapists, etc.
He also called upon the players that with the prize money they have won, they can hire better coaches to be trained and become recognized international champions, and also to the officials he called upon them to document Naga wrestling as a sport to expose it to the world.
Information & Publicity Secretary, NWA & Team leader, C. Theyo gave a report on the team's participation in the 1st AITWPF, Federation Cup held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and said the Nagaland team comprised of 15 players from Kohima and Phek won 21 medals altogether and bagged the 3rd Position in Group Championship.
Advisor, NWA & Vice President, AITWPF, Mosonyi Domeh also said Naga wrestling should be imparted to children as a sports curriculum in schools and promote the sport by inviting wrestlers from other countries to participate during the yearly Hornbill Festivals. He also called upon the wrestlers to strive and struggle to become professional wrestlers and not be seasonal wrestlers.
Certificates of honor and medals were also given out to the winning wrestlers Abu Metha. The programme was chaired by President, NWA, Dr. Hiabe Zeliang.
(Maongtemjen, IA)
