President, Nigeria Wrestling Federal (NWF) and Bayelsa Sports Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali has risen to the occasion with mat donation worth N10bn to ease wrestling tournament in the ongoing National Sports Festival, Edo 2021.
Speaking to our reporter on Sunday as wrestling events commenced at University of Benin, the President of NWF, Igali, who was guided by his passion for the sport said: “The government provided only one mat and I was told about it. I was also told another mat would be provided but unfortunately it wasn’t. I’m passionate about sports, and seeing Edo State Deputy Governor passion for sports development, I decided to bring a brand new mat. It’s a mat that cost N10 million.”
Findings revealed the transportation cost to convey the mat to University of Benin Indoor Sports Hall is about N150,000. Meaning it will be double the figure by the time the mat is returned to Bayelsa State.
Meanwhile Mr. Igali is so far pleased with the level of organization in the wrestling events at Edo festival.
“Wrestling is a leader’s sports,my charge to my team is that we pick up one of the best organized competition we ever have. If you go in there everything is computerized. We know no referee will be bias. We’ve gotten the sports to such a level that any athlete or coach coming in is comfortable with officiating.”
The 9 categories bout event will also prepare 5 Nigerian wrestlers who have qualified for the Olympics.
Those qualified for Tokyo’s Olympics are Ekerekeme Agiomor, Blessing Oborududu, Odumayo Adekuroye, Aminat Adeniyi and Adijat Idris.
Out of 26 states participating in wrestling, the game followers are watching out for medals haul by Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Ondo States.
