K Puroh
For decades, wrestling has echoed through Nagaland, a constant presence in its cultural and seasonal rhythms. Yet a pressing question remains: amidst this abundance of activity, where is the wrestling achievement worthy of National acclaim?
It has been over twenty-five years since the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) gained affiliation with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). In that time, however, the state has yet to secure a single medal in national-level tournaments. This drought persists despite the establishment of a Sports Authority of India (SAI) Wrestling Academy branch in Nagaland back in 2008, a full eighteen years of institutional support.
This lack of results is not for want of raw material. The Naga people possess not only a deep enthusiasm for the sport but also a natural, inbuilt physicality well-suited to wrestling discipline. With proper, structured training, these athletes have the potential to excel not just nationally, but to become medal contenders on International stages such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
While wrestling is everywhere during this season, noteworthy competitive success remains elusive. The time has come for a decisive shift. The state government, the relevant departments, and the NWA must collectively re-evaluate and overhaul their strategy. Focus must shift decisively toward developing wrestling in the Olympic disciplines; the very forms of the sport contested under the banners of the Indian Olympic Association and the world’s premier multi-sport events. Only then can Nagaland’s wrestling passion be transformed into podium finishes.
