The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) will host a historic three-in-one wrestling spectacle—the 30th NWA Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship 2026, the 1st NWA Under-15 Championship, and the 1st NWA Provisional Championship-cum-Wrestling Festival 2026—on March 6 and 7 at Khuochiezie Ground, Kohima Local Ground.
The event is powered by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will grace the occasion as Special Guest, while Tourism & Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along will attend as Inaugural Guest. President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Sanjay Kumar Singh, will be the Honoured Guest.
The NWA has also announced substantial cash awards along with medals and citations for winners across categories in the forthcoming 30th NWA Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship, Under-15 Championship, and Provisional Championship scheduled for March 6–7, 2026.
For the main championship, the ultimate winner would receive a major prize of a 100 ft × 100 ft plot of land at Chümoukedima, generously donated by Puleho Pusa, in addition to a cash award of ₹6 lakh, medal, and citation. The runner-up would receive ₹3 lakh, while the third and fourth place finishers would be awarded ₹2 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh respectively. Quarterfinalists would receive ₹20,000 each and all participants ₹10,000 each, with a group champion prize of ₹60,000 also instituted.
In the Under-15 championship category, the champion would be awarded ₹1 lakh, the runner-up ₹80,000, third place ₹60,000, and fourth place ₹40,000. Quarterfinalists in this category would receive ₹10,000 each and all participants ₹5,000 each.
For the provisional championship, the champion would receive ₹2 lakh, the runner-up ₹1 lakh, third place ₹80,000, and fourth place ₹60,000. Quarterfinalists would be awarded ₹10,000 each, participants ₹5,000 each, and the best team would receive ₹30,000.
Meanwhile, NWA has also released ticket categories for the two-day Nagaland Wrestling 2026 event. Chair Back seats are priced at ₹200, Chair Front at ₹500, Gallery Premium at ₹1,000, Gallery Donor and Floor Donor at ₹2,000 each, Well-Wishers tickets at ₹10,000, and VIP Box seating for five persons at ₹1,00,000. The Association informed that ticket rates on Day-1 (March 6) will be available at half the listed prices, while full rates will apply on Day-2 (March 7), which would feature the main championship bouts.
President of the NWA , Vivolie Kezo, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Nagaland for its sustained support in promoting Naga traditional wrestling across the state and beyond.
Addressing a press conference at the Association’s office on February 24 , Kezo lauded the state leadership, particularly Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, for championing sports development and fostering opportunities for indigenous disciplines.
He noted that consistent government backing has enabled the Association to expand Naga wrestling to different Naga tribes and communities, leading to broader participation in upcoming competitions.
Kezo also acknowledged the role of the state Tourism Department under Minister Imna Along , along with Commissioner Dr Zasekuolie Chusi, Director Veyielo Doulo, and other officials, as well as the state Tourism Ministry, for initiating the introduction of a Naga wrestling festival. The festival would be held for the first time alongside the forthcoming championship and is planned as an annual event.
According to the President, the inaugural Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship will feature participation from nine tribes. Eight wrestlers each from the Lotha, Rengma, Sumi, Pochury, Chang, and Sangtam wrestling associations would compete on the opening day, March 6, 2026. In addition, Under-15 wrestlers from three affiliated units—Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA)—will also contest their categories the same day.
On the second day, 18 senior wrestlers from the three affiliated bodies—Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association, and Zeliang Wrestling Association will vie for titles in the 30th NWA Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship.
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Kezo further informed that national-level leaders from the wrestling federation and office-bearers from various state wrestling associations are expected to attend the event. Several have already confirmed their participation, with more confirmations anticipated shortly.
“With participation from nine tribes and the presence of national and state leaders from across the country, we are hopeful that this championship will showcase Naga wrestling positively and elevate it further at the national level,” Kezo said.
He concluded by thanking Naga wrestling enthusiasts, supporters, and well-wishers, noting that the steady growth of the traditional sport is driven by their continued encouragement and involvement.
General Secretary, Kenlum Hemang announced that The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) has formally introduced two distinct competitive categories , Naga Traditional Wrestling and Naga Wrestling to safeguard indigenous heritage while aligning the sport with international norms,
Speaking ahead of the NWA Championship scheduled for March 6–7 ( 2026) , Hemang said the move is aimed at preserving customary practices of Tenyimia Naga tribes while simultaneously creating a pathway for global recognition of Naga wrestling.
He explained that Naga Traditional Wrestling would retain its original form without women’s participation, reflecting the long-standing cultural practices of tribes such as Angami, Chakhesang, and Zeliang. The traditional format would remain a core feature of the Association’s annual calendar and will be contested during the upcoming championship.
The second category, Naga Wrestling, has been introduced to comply with international sporting frameworks set by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Hemang said this format will include women’s participation, weight categories, structured bouts, and a points system consistent with UWW regulations. It will feature in open competitions, including the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship, with strict adherence to global criteria to promote the sport internationally.
Hemang expressed satisfaction at the rapid expansion of the sport across Nagaland, noting that tribes such as Lotha, Sumi, Pochury, Rengma, Chang, and Sangtam have established wrestling associations and are preparing athletes for the forthcoming championship in close coordination with the NWA.
Hemang said that the Association ultimately aims to extend participation to all 17 tribes of Nagaland and pursue national, international, and Olympic recognition for Naga wrestling.
Seyie Nagi, Publicity Secretary, NWA stated that the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) would conduct its upcoming championship in three competitive tiers involving provisional, junior, and senior categories.
Addressing media, Nagi said the provisional championship on March 6 would feature wrestlers from six provisional units currently under the NWA umbrella—Sumi, Lotha, Sangtam, Chang, Pochury, and Rengma tribes. These units have recently organized their respective wrestling bodies and will be contesting together for the first time in the Association’s calendar.
He added that the Under-15 category will be contested among the three affiliated NWA units—Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA)—on the same day.
The main senior (professional) championship is scheduled for March 7 and would see top wrestlers from the three affiliated units—ASA, CWA, and ZWA—compete for the premier NWA titles.
Nagi stated that the tiered format aims to integrate newly formed tribal wrestling bodies with established associations while ensuring competitive opportunities across age groups.
Viketuozo Meyase, Vice President (General) informed that NWA would broadcast the 30th NWA Championship live worldwide through a pay-per-view (PPV) platform on March 6 and 7.
Speaking on the digital rollout, Meyase said the Association has partnered with ahibi.in under Kaki Enterprises to handle live streaming, broadcasting, and digital marketing for the two-day event. The initiative aims to take Naga wrestling beyond physical venue limits and reach audiences across Nagaland, India, and international regions including Central Asia and the Americas.
According to NWA, the PPV access fee has been set at ₹49 for Day 1 (March 6) and ₹199 for Day 2 (March 7). The live telecast will be delivered through dedicated viewing links to enable wrestling enthusiasts worldwide to watch the championship remotely.
Meyase said the digital broadcast is also intended to address space constraints at the venue, allowing fans who cannot attend in person to follow the matches live. He added that high-quality streaming technology is being deployed to ensure smooth, buffer-free coverage throughout both days of competition.
