President of Naga Silat Association Khevishe Sema along with the General Secretary of Nagaland Pencak Silat Association, Deepak Kumar and spokesperson Kashito Kiba addressing the media fraternity at Immanuel Hall, Signal Basti, Dimapur on December 3. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 3
Nagaland is set to witness its 1st Hornbill Naga Silat Competition at the 22nd edition of Hornbill Festival Kisama at Immanuel Hall, Signal Basti Dimapur this December 8.
The event is organized by Naga Silat Association (NSA) presented by Nagaland Pencak Silat Association (NPSA) in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Addressing the media fraternity at a press conference here at Immanuel Hall today, President of NSA Khevishe Sema said that the Association was formed in 2016 under the aegis of NPSA, registered under Home Department and recognized by the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland.
Sema acknowledged Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Advisor for Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland, H Khehovi Yepthomi for the privilege given to the Association to demonstrate the art of Naga Silat during the 2019 Hornbill Festival at Kisama. He further thanked the Government for sponsoring the 1st ever Hornbill Naga Silat Competition.
The Association informed that more than hundreds of participants have registered for the competition so far, while adding that the registrations are still open. The Naga Silat will be divided into two categories — combat and performance for both female and male category, according to their age and weight division.
The combat category will showcase the techniques of self-defense and attack, while artistic events of self-defense patterns and demonstration will highlight the performance category, the NSA team informed.
Naga Silat an indigenous form of mixed martial art
Silat literally means ‘kick, punch and throw.’ Sema said that the Naga Silat is a valuable indigenous form of mixed martial art. The art is practiced “purely for sport, fitness and self-defense.” It intends to strengthen self-awareness, self-discipline, integrity, responsibility, loyalty and teamwork among the practitioners, particularly among the young female generation, he added.
According to the Association, Silat is a valuable indigenous art which is quite similar to the ‘Naga indigenous form of kick fighting’ originated from the Naga forefathers and is still in practice among some Naga tribes to this day.
The girls are at present faring better than the boys, it informed. The art form can be practiced by young and old, both male and female in combat and artistic forms. Incidentally, the NSA players have won numerous awards at both regional and national levels.
The Association is affiliated to Indian Pencak Silat Federation which is recognised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, International Pencak Silat Federation, Asian Games 2018 Jakarta, Olympic Council of Asia and others. The NSA is also in the process of tying up with the Nagaland Olympic Association.
The competition will begin at 10:00 am on December 8. The winners will be awarded with medal, certificate and cash award in every category for both female and male category respectively. The NSA President along with the NPSA General Secretary, Deepak Kumar and spokesperson Kashito Kiba were present at the meet.
