Champion Kezhaseluo-o Pienyu with others. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kisama | December 4
Kezhaseluo-o Pienyu today emerged the coveted champion title 14th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2021, which took place at Kisama. Representing Angami Sports Association (ASA), he defeated former champion Dzieselatuo Keretsu in finals.
Kezhaseluo-o Pienyu awarded with a cash prize of Rs 1, 20,000 while 1st runner-up Dzieselatuo Keretsu pocketed Rs 80,000. Atuo Tevo and Kekhriezo Nagi stood 3rd and 4th runner-up respectively and received Rs 40,000 and Rs 20,000.
In the Amateur/Tourist Category, Shekho Veini emerged the first position and pocketed Rs 30,000. Moses Puomai stood second position and received Rs 20,000 while Daikho Pulounii and Pavilou stood 3rd and 4th position respectively and awarded with Rs 10,000 each.
30 wrestlers from Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA) joined the 14th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2021. This event, as part of Hornbill Festival, was organized by Nagaland Wrestling Association.
Wrestling signifies cultural values of strength, bravery, pride
Earlier, Nagaland Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) advisor Er Zale Neikha graced the event as the special guest. He maintained that traditionally, Naga wrestling functioned as a way to release social tensions within the village community, mostly between clans and khels. He added that disputes over lands and properties, for instance, could be settled with a wrestling contest.
Neikha said, “The social significance of wresting lies in its traditional capacity to temporarily absorb, channel and deflect the internal rival-ries and disputes that occasionally threatened the unity and survival of the village community.
“Wrestling signifies cultural values of strength, bravery, pride and represent kinship and social networks. As such, traditional wrestling played an important social and political role,” he said adding that Naga wrestling is one of the oldest traditional games of the Nagas.
Though this wrestling has been practiced in the region for several decades, the modem version of the sport was developed only in the mid 20th century, he said.
Er Neikha continued that Naga wrestling is very similar to Belt Wrestling, for which Naga wrestlers have lots of advantages. Belt wrestling is annually conducted at the National level under All India Traditional Wrestling and Pankration Federation.
Belt wrestling is also included in the Indoor Asian Games. In the International arena, the popularity of Belt Wrestling is no less in America, Iran, Turkey, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Spain, etc etc, he said adding “These countries have already host International competitions.”
The main aim of the International Belt Wrestling Association is to include Belt Wrestling in the Olympic Games. To improve the Naga style wrestling and make it a National and International attraction, we need to play in a category manner and as per the international standards, he opined adding that Naga wrestling, is by far the highest grossing sports event in the state of Nagaland.
Meanwhile, he said that sports is becoming a lucrative industry and a good sports person can become ambassador of the country as one successful sportsperson can uplift the fame of the Nation.
He said that Naga wrestling is mostly wrestled among three tribes, Angami, Chakhesang & Zeliang but today other tribes are slowly catching up on this and taking interest in it. In this, he encouraged and requested the NWA to play an active role for promotion of Naga wrestling to higher heights and to encourage other Naga tribes to come forward and join the same. He also assured the NWA that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will do all that is possible to support and promote the game.
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