Advisor to chief minister, chairman IDAN and Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha graced the prestigious Alysh (Belt Wrestling) Grand Prix as chief guest held in Bishkek, the capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic.
According to a DIPR report, Metha was also invited by Sultanbekova Cholpon Aalyevna, former deputy prime minister and present chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation, State Structure, Judicial and Legal Issues and Rules of Procedure of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic. Cholpon is also the president of the World Belt Wrestling Committee of United World Wrestling.
Metha held meetings with deputy minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and the director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, Abdymomunov Aybek Tynchylykovich, the president of World Alysh Federation Baiaman uulu Adilet and the Deputy Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Nurlan Azygaliev.
The meetings deliberated on strengthening bilateral ties, increasing people-to-people contact and collaborations in the promotion of sports.
In his deliberations with the Parliamentarians and high officials, Metha highlighted the growth of Indian economy, Incredible India as a destination and the Prime Minister’s vision of promoting the indigenous and traditional sports of India. Metha was part of the Indian Belt Wrestling Team which included the president of the Indian Belt Wrestling Federation, Omarmukhtar Tamboli, who is also the president of the Asian Belt Wrestling Federation. The Indian team included five athletes, one technical judge and three technical officials from Nagaland.
Prior to the competition, the Indian team underwent a training program in Bishkek under international coaches provided by the Kyrgyz Alysh Federation and another training period was organised for the team after the conclusion of the Grand Prix. India won a bronze medal in the 70 Kg category wherein Rokuo Kire Khawakhrie from Nagaland clinched the medal through repercharge after meeting the world champion in the first round. This is Nagaland’s first ever international medal at this prestigious Grand Prix event, which is participated by the strongest wrestling nations, mainly from Central Asia. Metha informed that all the meetings with the high officials and dignitaries were positive with proposals for more collaborations and partnerships in the field of sports, especially in the disciple of wrestling.
It may be recalled that the president of World Alysh Federation, Baiaman uulu Adilet was the chief guest at the closing function of the North East Games which was hosted by Nagaland. Belt wrestling was included in the Olympic movement with inclusion in the Nagaland Olympics and the North East Games. Metha further informed that in his deliberations with the Kyrgyz officials and the presidents of World Wrestling, World Alysh and Asian Belt Wrestling, it was discussed to carry out capacity building, workshops and seminars for India and Nagaland. Metha was confident that athletes from Nagaland would get more opportunities to represent the country and participate in international meets.
He informed that plans are also being prepared to promote indigenous Naga wrestling at the national and international platforms. He added that of late, Naga wrestlers are consistently winning international medals for the country due to focused plans, high performance training, national and international exposure and use of international coaches.