Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Wrestling Federation has unveiled six athletes that will represent the country at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
Unveiling the team at the Dynamite Wrestling gym in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, the President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali said the wrestling team is made up of five female wrestlers and one male wrestler, three coaches.
Igali, who is also the Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa state, said the six wrestlers were carefully selected to represent the country , expressing hope that the wrestlers would do the nation proud at the Olympic tournament, stressing that the wrestlers were subjected to a Weeks of rigorous training.
The 1998 Olympic gold medallist thanked the governor of Bayelsa State, Sen.Douye Diri for his unwavering support for sports development as well as the Minister for Sports, Senator John Enoch for encouraging the wrestling federation by always acceding to their requests.
“The Nigeria Wrestling Federation is a very serious Federation, the athletes have been in camp training for couple of weeks now and in my view they’re prepared.”
“The athletes won’t be going to Paris to participate but to compete, and you know when someone competes is for medals, and we are hoping that if we compete very well, the medals will come.” Igali said.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Government, through the Secretary to the State government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei express optimism that the athletes will make Nigerians proud at the 2024 Olympics.
He described sports as a potential unifying factor in Nigeria and Commended Champion Igali for making Bayelsa State proud in the world of wrestling.
Wrestlers unveiled are: 14 times African Champion who is ranked number 8 in the World, Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), Multiple times African champion, currently ranked number 2 in the world Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), and Gold Medalist at the World Military Championship Hannah Reuben (76kg).
Also, reigning African champions and debutants, Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg), while Bronze Medalist, US National Championship, Ashton Mutuwa completes the list in the (125kg) men’s freestyle wrestling.
Coaches, Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh, and Happiness Burutu.
In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. George Flint, Chief Jackson Bidei and Chairman, Bayelsa House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Mr Tari Porri charged the athletes to give their all in the tournament.
Two wrestlers Blessing Oborududu and Kolawole Esther in an interview, said they are ready to give their best in the Olympics games, expressing optimism of a podium finish.
The team is expected to depart Nigeria for Spain on 3rd of July for a pre Olympic tournament in Madrid before settling in Germany for their last camping ahead of the games proper.
