Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon.Daniel Igali says five hundred athletes are expected to participate in the maiden edition of Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa.
Champion Igali made this known at a news briefing in Yenagoa, noted that the tournament which would be staged at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium will see athletes and officials expected from at least 30 states and ten wrestling clubs in the country.
The NWF President who is Bayelsa State commissioner for Youths and Sports Development stated that arrangements had been concluded for a hitch free tournament.
He stated that winners at the Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics would represent the country at the forthcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games due to be held in Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8 this year.
According to him, the Wrestling classics would provide a veritable platform for new competition for the athletes and to prepare them for the Commonwealth Games.
In an interview with Sports journalists,Tokyo 2020 Olympics Silver Medalist, Blessing Oborududu expressed her readiness to defend her national title despite battling with a knee injury.
Highlighting the importance of the importance of the maiden edition of Gov. Douye Diri Wrestling Classics, Igali also called on the athletes, officials, journalists and fans to turn out en masse to make the competition a huge Success.
The Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics begins on Friday with the Under 15 age grade, then Graeco Roman and Free style and female wrestling in seven weight classes each day till the final on May 3.
