Under the patronage of the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), the Sumi Wrestling Association (SWA) today launched its 10 days long Intensive Wrestling Training Camp 2024 today at Town Hall, Pughoboto Town.
Gracing the Camp as the Special Invitee, NWA Vice President (General) Viketouzo Meyase, stressed on the importance of wrestling, a traditional practice games/sports by forefathers since times immemorial. Meyase asserted that Sports unified people and bring together people in different walks of lives and make the society progress M, informed a press release by the NWA.
He also shared the performances of the NWA participating in the AITWPF 12 National Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Championship 2024 recently held at Dehradun from October 3 to 6 where NWA grabbed 54 medals, making history in the record of the NWA.
Meyase informed that the Asian Belt Wrestling Championship is scheduled to be held at Kohima city from 17 to 23 November 2024, where 2 nations from Africa and 3 nations from Europe including 20 plus nations from Asia had already confirmed their participation but added that due to the immense reasons unelaborated might postponed the championship. Meyase added that the Naga Style of wrestling is all set to be included as medal event during the Asian championship under certain category wise and further urge Sumi brothers to be part of the NWA championships and events.
Besides the Pughoboto training, Meyase relayed that the Lotha Wrestling Association (LWA) and Pochury Wrestling Association (PWA) has already completed and the Rengma Wrestling Association (RWA) is underway since 14 October and will culminate on October 24. “Separate State level Naga Style wrestling championship for non-practised wrestling communities, apart from NWA present affiliated units (Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliang) is in plan to organized probably in the month of March 2025,” said Meyase who urged the Sumi youths to be prepared and be part of the proposed championship.
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Meyase expressed confidence that the trainees will be motivated and act as ambassadors of wrestling in the entire Sumi community. On behalf of the NWA convey, Meyase extended its special Invitation to the SWA wrestlers to be part of the forthcoming 17th International Naga Wrestling Championship 2024 tentatively scheduled on December 4 at Khouchiezie. He further suggested that the best wrestlers from the camp will be provided with an opportunity for the said Championship.
Approximately 26 wrestlers including five women wrestlers from several Ranges registered to be part of the 10 days camp along with management officials.
NWA prominent wrestlers Kewecholo Akami, Rüüzetuo Visienyü and Puikube Zeliang were assigned as the Coach/Trainer for the 10 days camp.
SWA President N. Kitoshe Kiho, in his Presidential note, stated that wrestling is not a new game for the Sumi, however with the introduction of modern sports and events, the very event was kept in dark for quite a long time. Kiho stated that the formation of Sumi Wrestling in July 2024 and this 10 days training camp is part of reviving the wrestling event and further expressed gratitude to the NWA for the invitation to be part of NWA.
According to SWA official inputs, the SWA is all set to reach out to all Sumi different areas after the camp with the Sumi Campers as part of motivating the rest of the Sumi youth to catch up with the rest of the Naga wrestling fraternity.
Meanwhile, the inaugural program was chaired by Tokiho Swu, General Secretary SWA, Kipitoli Shohe, Associate Pastor (Childre), PTBC invoked God’s blessings. Greetings was shared by Hokiqhe Sheqi, Vice Chairman, Pughoboto Adhoc Town Council, note of gratitude was propose by Khumtsa Swu, Vice President, SWA followed by mass prayer.