Igali enters bid to become World Wrestling bureau member

The President Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Daniel Igali has declared his intention to contest in the upcoming election of the United World Wrestling (UWW) as a board member of the bureau.

Igali who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday when he visited Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare underscored the importance of a Nigerian being at the top of global wrestling leadership level.

Igali, an Olympic champion said if he emerges, he will become the first black man to ever occupy such a position.

He said, “The election will happen in December, 2020 and as you know, one of the things Nigeria hasn’t done very well is sports politics, globally. Sport is beyond training four hours a day anymore. You need to have your people stationed at different spheres and sporting success essentially.

“So, what we are trying to do is to get into that stage, so that we can also  have the necessary support for Africa wrestling and for Nigeria particularly. If you don’t have your people at that level of decision making, it becomes very problematic when two people are engaged in a situation where decision has to be made. So, I think my being there will immensely benefit not only Nigeria but Africa.”

The NWF Boss who currently the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development in Bayelsa state also hinted that the state is already planning to organise a sports festival.

He said, “This state sports festival is going to be the first. We are putting up a committee tomorrow (Wednesday) to work out the modalities so the decision will be made by the committee but my preference will be that it will be for an annual event, if we can have it annually, it will essentially make-up for all the lost years.

On the forthcoming Tokyo Olympic games, Igali said, “The goal of the wrestling federation headed by myself is to ensure that we have our best in place at the Olympics. I would like a situation where we will win at least a medal next year. We currently have two athletes ranking in the top three in the world. Blessing Oborodudu at and Odunayo.

“My hope is that before the next Olympics, we will have more than two athletes in the top eight. That way, we will still have opportunities for others to meddle.”

Earlier, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare assured that the federal government will support Igali’s quest to emerge victoriously during the world wrestling election.

He used the opportunity to disclose that the Principal Cup will soon make a return to enable school children showcase their talents.

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