August 09, (THEWILL) – President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Chief Daniel Igali, says the federation will present a formidable team that will rewrite the nation’s history in the 2024 ancient games in Paris, France.
Chief Igali gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa while assessing the ongoing Gov Diri National wrestling classics after day three.
He noted that with the level of commitment by the country’s athletes, he is confident of presenting a solid team that will compete favourably with their peers in the world championship in Serbia.
Chief Igali, who doubles as the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Bayelsa State, explained that Governor Diri’s wrestling classics would help to pick the wrestling team that would represent the nation in the 2024 Olympics games in Paris.
The Olympian asserted that the federation would go to the world championship with their best athletes despite having 30 weight classics, maintaining that their performances would define their place in the world championship to decide the final top five athletes that would go to the Olympics.
The commissioner commended Governor Douye Diri for the endless support he has rendered to the federation since he assumed office as governor, stating that Bayelsa, in the last three years, has become the nation’s sports capital.
He hinted that the championship would come to a climax on Thursday, with the governor declaring the showpieces closed at the multipurpose hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium.
In the meantime, it was a joyful day for Mercy Adekurouye of Rivers State, who got gold in the Women’s 59kg Freestyle, Favour Opuene of Bayelsa clinched silver, while Oyo State’s Esther Asaolu, settled for bronze.
In the women’s 65kg Freestyle, Ebipade Mughenbola of Bayelsa won the ultimate medal for the team, while Patience Kakande of the Eagle Club, secured silver, just as Olatoye Eniola of Ogun State settled for bronze.
Tope Adebayo of Oyo State in men’s 70kg Freestyle took his opponent to the sword to clinch gold, Bayelsa State-born Peremobuloe Ebimowei won silver, while Parkistan Alfred of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, claimed gold In the men’s 67kg Greco-Roman, Julius Adekunle of Ogun State and Newstyle Paungrit finish second and third.
However, in the 72kg Greco-Roman, Bright Irobekin of Edo State outperformed Albert Idowu of Ogun State and Okorie Ebisindei of Bayelsa to win gold.
Action will continue on Wednesday, in the 2nd Gov Diri National wrestling, as the championship awaits to see 13-time African Champion and Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu, Commonwealth champions, Odunayo Adekuroye, three-time African champion, Amas Daniel, Mercy Genesis and Hannah Reuben.
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