Kohima, June 27: The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) today honoured two of its wrestlers Keduovilie Zumu and Nlumrai Hegwang for winning bronze medal each at the International Sports Festival – ‘Pearl of Kyrgyzstan’ (belt wrestling championship) held at Chon-sary-oi, Kyrgyzstan.
Hegwang participated in the under 80 kg category and Zumu in 80+ kg category representing All India Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Federation (AITWPF) at the International Sports Festival, which concluded on June 17.
Both of them are also part of the Nagaland DGP Sports Team.
Addressing the gathering as the special guest on the occasion held at Nagaland Olympic Association Talimeren Ao Conference Hall, DGP Nagaland T John Longkumer lauded the two wrestlers for bringing laurels to the NWA, Police Department, the State and Country in general.
He appreciated the NWA for the constant support in building the wrestlers and taking them to the international arena for competition.
“The role of any sports associations is very crucial to make the youngsters sign in sports,” he said.
He said that belt wrestling is a traditional sport, specially confined to the Tenyimia community among the Nagas and its their heritage. Nonetheless, he expressed happiness that NWA is becoming more inclusive with the joining of Lotha and also some other non-wrestling tribe willing to be part of it.
The DGP also appreciated the support of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of Nagaland Olympic Association and his team officials in the association for their efforts to uplift sports in the State.
Meanwhile, the DGP informed that while the Nagaland Sports Battalion has already been inaugurated but delayed to be functional because the nitty-gritty are yet to be finalised.
The draft concept has already been submitted by the committee while it is being carefully checked by the senior officers of the department, he said, adding that it would be put up to the State Government for final approval before August 15.
He expressed hope that with the functioning of the Sports Battalion, which is the first of its kind in the country, will open up avenues for the young sports enthusiast in the State.
He also encouraged sportspersons to maintain discipline and consistency to be successful and professional.
On behalf of the NWA, the DGP honoured the medal winners with bouquets.
NWA president Dr Hiabe Zeliang while felicitating the medal winners expressed happiness that Nagas are now not only taking up sports for health benefits but are becoming serious towards professionalism as a career.
Expressing hope that belt wrestling would soon be included in the Olympics, he aspired that it would bring opportunities for Nagas to be Olympian and bring laurels to the State.
Meanwhile, Zeliang requested the DGP to grant out of term promotion to the medal winners in order to motivate them and also encourage other sports persons to do better.
Keduovilie Zumu while sharing a brief account of the championship said that around 10,000 sportspersons from 33 countries participated in the sports festival which had more than 30 different sports disciplines with Judo and Belt Wrestling as the main events.
Chaired by NWA vice president Dr Dietho Koza the programme commenced with prayer by Associate Pastor of Rengma Baptist Church Kohima Ayhunlo Kemp. Special number was presented by Vevoto Ringa.
(Page News Service)
