The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) held a felicitation program for Naga wrestler Vekhonielü Cürhah who won bronze under 56 kg category belt wrestling at the Asian Belt Wrestling Championships 2023 on 24 May 2023 under the aegis of United World Wrestling (UWW) at Jizzakh Uzbekistan.
Cürhah, 21, hailing from Phusachodu village, under Phek district became the first female from the State to win medal at an international platform. She represented the Indian contingent under All India Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Federation (AITWPF) through NWA.
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Speaking at the program held at Nagaland Olympic Association building, Kohima on Thursday, Youth Resources & Sports Advisor S Keoshu Yimkhiung, the special guest, asserted that Nagas by blood or by nature have the sports spirit. Sports has been one with our culture like our forefathers practiced wrestling, he said.
S Keoshu Yimkhiung , Advisor, Youth Resources & Sports
Congratulating Vekhonielü Cürhah, he said, “The time has come for women folk to make us proud.” Citing the example of Manipur that gives much importance to sports and has produces sportspersons like Mary Kom “who brought laurel to the state as well as for the country thereby bringing more blessing and advancement in the State”, Yimkhiung commended Vekhonielü on her achievement and encouraged her to keep “striving to achieve higher goals in the future and bring laurel to the state.”
Yimkhiung also encouraged all aspiring sportspersons to come forward, practice and participate and win more medals or championship thereby making the State and the department proud. He also assured that the department is ready to support and help those individuals to go forward.
Dr Hiabe Zeliang, President, NWA, in his congratulatory message said, Nagaland is making history in the record of Nagaland wrestling today and shaping a milestone in the record of NWA.
“…she is the first lady to attain medal position in National Wrestling Championship,” added Zeliang.
Dr Hiabe Zeliang, President, Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA)
Mentioning that AITWPF must also be celebrating the achievement of Vekhonielü Cürhah, Zeliang extended his gratitude to the Federation for extending invitation to participate in the international level.
“Through their invitation we have attained five medals before and this time we have attained the first female medallist from the state of Nagaland,” said Zeliang.
Thanksgiving prayer was offered by Thüyiesayi Swuro, Evangelist, Zion Mission Church, Naga Bazar and a special song was presented by Ating Lam.
