Bayelsa Set To Host Wresting Maiden Champion of champions Ahead of Olympics
By Hananeel Jackson
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali says over fifty wrestlers will converge on Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital for the first-ever Champion of Champions tournament in preparation for the rescheduled 2020 Olympics games in Tokyo, Japan.
Hon. Igali gave the hint in an interactive session with executive members of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN in his office in Yenagoa.
Hon. Igali while felicitating with SWAN members over the new year, said the essence of the initiative was to keep athletes busy and prepared for the Olympics and other competitions.
The NWF president who is also the Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development in Bayelsa State, explained that the competition would also feature the top five wrestlers in the six Olympic weight classes in Women Wrestling and Freestyle events.
He stated that the competition would take place at the ultra-modern Theatre Wrestling Complex, Yenizue Gene, Yenagoa from 15th to 18th January, 2021 under strict Covid-19 compliance.
The World, Olympic and Commonwealth Olympic Games Champion, pointed out that as commissioner for Youth and Sports Development he would continue to initiate programmes that would develop Sports in the state.
On the forthcoming National Sports Festival he said the state contingent is fully prepared for the Fiesta,pointing out the state athletes would soon commence camping for the showpiece in Benin City, Edo state.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN Mr.Alambo Datonye said the the body would continue to promote the development of wrestling and other sports in the country.
The NWF President later conducted Executive Committee Members and other Sports Journalists round some of the facilities at the ultra-modern Theatre Wrestling Complex in Yenizue-Gene off Old PDP Secretariat Road in the Bayelsa State Capital.