Igali Assures Nigerians Of Good Outing In Birmingham

   Igali Assures Nigerians Of Good Outing In Birmingham

By Hananeel Jackson

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has unveiled a thirteen man contingent to the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games ongoing in Birmingham, England.

The Team comprises six women, four men wrestlers and three coaches: Victor Kodei, Happiness Kuro- Otin Head coach Women and Purity Akuh.

The list, which is headlined by Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu, also has Commonwealth Champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye, her younger sister, Mercy Adekuoroye, Mercy Genesis, Kolawole Esther, Hannah Reuben, Ebikenmo Welson, Agiomor Ekerekeme and Amas Daniel, in their respective weight classes.

The Wrestlers are expected to depart Nigeria for Birmingham on Sunday, 31st of July and arrive Birmingham on the 1st of August as wrestling events begin on August 5th.

Addressing the athletes and their coaches, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali said with the records achieved by the sport over the years, the nation's Wrestlers are sure bets for medals at the Games.

Igali who is also the Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development in Bayelsa noted that from 2010 till date, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation has continued to give the country more international medals.

He explained that all athletes representing Nigeria in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are capable of winning of medals at the showpiece, describing Bayelsa as the home of wrestling in Nigeria.

He thanked Governor Douye Diri for ensuring that the federation and the team were adequately taken care of throughout their camping in Yenagoa.

Captain of Team o Nigeria, Blessing Oborududu said with the level preparation of the Wrestlers, she is optimistic that the contingent will make the nation proud.

The Commonwealth gold medalist pointed out that her aim of going to Birmingham was to return with a gold medal having won it in her last outing in 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

In separate goodwill messages, chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Council, Kia Nigeria, the Member Representing South Ijaw Constituency 3, Mr Moses Marlon and Chairman, Bayelsa House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Mr Tari Porri charged the athletes to give their all in the games.

Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA promised to reward the Wrestlers with one million naira for each gold medal, five hundred thousand Naira for each silver medal, three hundred thousand Naira for each Bronze medal for all the southern Ijaw born athletes in the team.

Present at the ceremony were, Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, Chairman Sports Academy Board Asoama, Jackson Bidei, Ophiboro Freeborn, Executive Director, Sports Academy Asoama, Chairman Central Senatorial District PDP, Mr Wisdom Nathan amongst others.