NWA, AITWPF, WAF and AAF officials during the singing of the MoU at Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan on September 6. (Photo Courtesy: NWA)
Kohima, September 7 (MExN): A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed to host the UWW World Belt Wrestling Championship 2026 in India, featuring Alysh Belt Wrestling and Naga Wrestling, the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) said on Monday.
The MoU was signed on September 6 at Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan by the NWA, All India Traditional Wrestling and Pankration Federation (AITWPF), World Alysh Federation (WAF) and Asian Alysh Federation (AAF).
India has been proposed as the host country for the championship, which is tentatively scheduled to be held from December 14 to 19, 2026, the NWA said.
The proposed event would feature Alysh Belt Wrestling and Naga Wrestling and is aimed at providing a global platform for the traditional wrestling form of Nagaland.
The agreement comes as a Nagaland Wrestling team, led by NWA president Vivolie Kezo under the aegis of AITWPF, is participating in the 6th World Nomad Games 2026 in Kyrgyzstan.
Naga Wrestling was officially demonstrated on September 5 at Kyrgyz Gorge, Kyrgyzstan, as part of the Demonstration Games category of the World Nomad Games.
The NWA described the proposed hosting of the UWW World Belt Wrestling Championship as a significant step towards promoting Naga Wrestling internationally and said it would be a proud moment for Nagaland and India.
The association said the Nagaland Wrestling team is currently in Kyrgyzstan for the World Nomad Games.
According to the statement, the team is scheduled to return to Nagaland on October 8, 2026.
