By Nitoni Osain, Yenagoa
More than 800 Athletes and 200 Officials are set to participate in the 3rd edition of Gov. Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics, billed for November 3 to 10, 2024.
The National Wrestling Classics, organized by the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) in collaboration with the Bayelsa Government, is aimed at boosting the morals of Nigerian wrestlers after the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
Speaking with newsmen at the Sampson Siasia’s Sports Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital on Tuesday, the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Champion Daniel igali, said the third Governor Douye national wrestling classics.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the “Theme” for this year’s edition is ‘Preparing Champions for The Future’ has already received interest from 25 states in the country to participate.
Igali, former Olympics and Commonwealth gold medalist, stated that Bayelsa, is without a doubt one of the most successful states in wrestling in the country and in Africa.
According to him, “Bayelsa alone has produce 82 gold medals at the Africa level, so we have 82 time African champions from Bayelsa extraction in wrestling.
” To add all medals about 138 medals won by Bayelsa at the African level, we also have 4 Commonwealth golds medals from Bayelsa and an Olympics silver medal from Bayelsa.
“So, am very happy today to announce to us sports lovers in Nigeria and beyond that the 3rd Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics and the overall 13th edition.
“One of the longest running championships will be taking place from the 3rd to the 10th November, 2024, officially but the wrestling date specifically will be from the 5th to the 9th of November, 2024.
“We have so far received over 25 states that have indicated interest in attending this championship,.
“We have all military and para-military organizations that have indicated interest in attending in addition to over 15 wrestling clubs across the country.
“We are expecting to host about 800 athletes and over 200 officials in the one week fiesta in Yenagoa, and we believe without a doubt its going to be one of our better organized national wrestling classics,” he said.
According to him, “Looking at the enthusiasm, looking at the interest from different participants and also viewing the background from where we are coming from.
“That is the fact that we didn’t do very well at the Olympics, we want a start-up almost every away, as one of the leading amateur sport organizations in the country.
“I want to use this opportunity thank Governor Douye Diri who has shown his penchant for supporting, hosting and doing everything possible to push the gospel of sports in the prosperity administration as we never seen before.
“So this definitely is the home of wrestling, we also have about 19 time Olympian from Bayelsa extraction.
“So we have had people going to Olympics 19 times from Bayelsa in wrestling alone, so without a doubt, there is no sport that come close to wrestling in terms of achievement.
“When we want to talk about history of sports in Bayelsa State, and so it is not surprising that successive administrations have shown this dedicated love for funding, sponsoring this competition for 13 years in a roll.
“Comptroller General of Customs, the Chief of Defense Staff, have all confirmed their attendance, we are waiting for the confirmation of the Minister of Sports,” he stated.