Tag: Daniel Igali

Bayelsa State’s  Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, has issued a firm directive to the Chairman and Management Board of Bayelsa United FC to immediately reset the club’s competitive objectives and deliver significantly improved results in the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Igali delivered the charge during a closed-door meeting with the Chairman of the club, Tarelaye Nwakwe  and members of his management board on Wednesday at his office in Yenagoa, following what he described as an unacceptable first-half showing.

The Commissioner expressed deep dissatisfaction with the club’s current league position, noting that Bayelsa United are 15th on the NPFL table with 23 points—dangerously close to the relegation zone

Stating that the team’s inconsistency and the recent home defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors clearly fall short of expectations.

 “We are already late in addressing our shortcomings. This is no longer a period for gradual adjustments. The second stanza must be approached with urgency, precision, and clear targets,” Igali stated.

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He emphasized that the state government has made massive investments in football development and the welfare of Bayelsa United, and such commitment must now be matched by performance and results.

According to the Commissioner, the directive to the club is clear and non-negotiable, stressing Bayelsa United must move decisively into the top half of the NPFL table and mount a credible challenge for continental qualification places.

 “Survival is not the objective. Our target is to finish in the top half of the league and compete for continental tickets. Anything less will not justify the level of support and resources committed to this club,” he said.

Igali further challenged  the board to be deliberate and uncompromising in the transfer window, insisting on quality recruitment that directly strengthens weak areas of the squad and aligns with the club’s competitive ambitions.

He also reaffirmed the Prosperity government’s continued backing of the team, citing sustained welfare support and logistical arrangements such as air travel for away fixtures, particularly to northern states, to ensure optimal performance.

The meeting was attended by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Menidin Nicolas Digha, as well as the Chairman of Bayelsa United FC, Tarelaye Nwakwe, members of the management board, and other football stakeholders

The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Honourable Daniel Igali, has emerged as South-South representative in the board of Nigeria Wrestling Federation

In an elective congress held on Saturday, 27^th  September in Benin City, Edo State capital, which is the South-South zonal headquarters, Igali who is the incumbent president of the NWF, won the oil-rich region seat in the board.

The world and Olympic champion will be joined by the current 1^st  vice president, Chris Ankpila, in the new NWF board as North Central Zonal representative

Also, Nigeria’s women National team wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, emerged as South West zonal representative while Alhaji Habib Abubakar Umar as North West zonal representative and coach Clement Ejim secured South East Zonal seat.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Mustapha Bura emerged North East Zonal representative.

Reacting to the various elections on Saturday in Benin City, Honourable Igali described the peaceful and fair conduct of the zonal elections as heartwarming.

He  extended his hearty congratulations to the various zonal representatives on their victories, admonishing them to consolidate on the mantra of the current board to deliver a progressive and enviable federation in the Nigerian sports system.

He said: “First I want to say that for the Nigerian sports to get to that place of actively  competing with the supposed big nations, assembling competent people in the various Federations board is a good assets to that course.

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“Having said that, I want to extend my solidarity to everyone who indicated interest to contribute to the growth of this sport. For me, there are no winners in this case. The peaceful nature of these zonal elections shows the kind of Federation we want to run.”

“So, I urge everyone to join hands with their zonal reps to organise developmental wrestling programmes in their zones because grassroots is the bedrock of our sports’ growth,” Igali noted.

Recall earlier, Tokyo 2021 Olympic silver medallist Blessing Oborodudu won the seat of Athletes representative while Burutu Happiness as Technical representative in the board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation respectively.

Okou arrives Morocco for wrestling  events

The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Honourable Daniel Igali, has lauded the sporting and developmental drive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, including capacity building of military personnel .

 Igali hinged the commendation following  the approval of the Chief of Defence Staff to sponsor Lieutenant Colonel Timipre Okou to Morocco for the 3^rd  World Beach Wrestling Series, and African Beach Wrestling Championship for U15, U17 and U20 age categories to be held in Casablanca, Morocco from 2 – 8 September .

Igali in a statement through the NWF Media Assistant, Promise Okotoko, applauded the interest of  Gen. Chris Musa to see that sports is developed in the military and even beyond.

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“We are very proud of the innovations of the CDS aim to enhance the ability and capacity building of military personnel to perform complex tasks, which will aid national and regional security environments,” Igali said. “The CDS regular sponsorship of our sports men to international programmes and refresher courses will further expose the nation military officers to global security awareness and tactical skills to handle salient issues.

“We believe with such collaboration and support from individuals and organisations, Nigerian Wrestling will keep being on the path of progress.” Igali concluded.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel T Okou, who is an international wrestling referee and member of Sports Science Commission of the International Military Sports Council, will participate in a 3-day World Beach Wrestling Referee course before officiating at the African Beach Wrestling Championship U15, U17 and U20 age categories in Casablanca.

The Commissioner for Sports, Bayelsa State Sports  Commissioner,  Daniel Igali, has revealed that the Prosperity State is would be vying to host the 2028 National Sports Festival along with six other ‘unknown’  interested states.

Igali told NationSport in Sagamu at the just concluded Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State that   the Director General at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade,  actually  informed  him that six  other states have shown  interest in hosting the country’s mini Olympic Games.

The Olympic Games Gold medallist for Canada at 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in wrestling event further informed that the NSC  might be compelled  to award the hosts  rights  for the 2030 and 2032 National Sports Festival simultaneously with  the number of states that have shown the desire to host the competition after Enugu 2026.

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“In my last conversation with the DG of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, he told me that there are almost six states vying to host the National Sports Festival in 2028,” Igali told NationSport.

“I must also tell you that Bayelsa is also interested in hosting the 2028 NSF. I think that might have been before but right now, others  states are interested in hosting it.

“I think they are saying they are going look at the possibilities of giving the host rights for the 2030 and 2032 NSF so that states can get properly ready for the hosting of Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympic Games.”

Igali hinted that plans were underway to build another stadium with state of art facilities for the National Sports Festival among other sports infrastructures upgrade that will ensure Bayelsa State beat other bidding states when it is time for its announcement.

The President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, honourable Daniel Igali, has  yet again underline  the unique partnership  between  Nigeria and  Iran  towards  the development of the martial art cum combat sport in the country even as he applauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in hosting the International Military Sports Council (CISM) Training Programme for coaches, officials and wrestlers.   The NWF President alongside NWF Vice President, Chris Amkpila and Secretary General of the Federation Oluwasegun Bode Ademisoro in a Solidarity meeting with the CISM Wrestling Sports Committee President, Col Naser Hassani and Iranian Delegation commended the relationship between the two nations.

Igali noted that Iran supported his ambition to be a member of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Bureau to serve for a period of six years.

“I want to appreciate the relationship we have with Iran. You supported my ambition to be a member of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Bureau to serve for a period of six years.”

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“Also I want to on behalf of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation extend our admiration and love to the Chief of Defence Staff for giving approval to this training, re-emphasized the need for the Nigerian Armed Forces to recruit younger people and give them the necessary training.”

He  re-echoed the performance and achievements of Hannah Reuben in the military, who has become Olympian, World Military Gold Medallist, Commonwealth/African Champion and multiple national Champion among others.

Igali, maintained the need for identified athletes to be given leave to train and compete as rigorous training sessions  that last about  six  hours per day, citing the example of Reuben who excelled when given that opportunity.

He  acknowledged Iran as a power house for wrestling, appealing to  the Iranian delegates to connect to the national  wrestling federation and not limit its developmental plans to the military alone

The NWF President pledged the Nigeria Wrestling Federation’s support to the Nigerian Military to host the World Military Beach Wrestling Championship 2026.

Meanwhile, the intensive week-long International Military Sports Council (CISM) Wrestling Training Programme was concluded on Tuesday in Abuja

The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali, has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi for magnanimously sponsoring Lt Colonel Timipre Okou (PhD) and Happiness Burutu, respectively to South Africa to attend United World Wrestling courses.

Igali in a statement , lauded the Chief of Defence Staff for the kind gesture, which has made Lt Colonel Timipre Okou, to be certified on courses about United World Wrestling Sports Administration Course for National Sports Federation administration, Safeguarding, Beach Wrestling (Coach/Referee) Course, Olympic Wrestling Level 2 Referee Foundation Course and Olympic Youth Athletes Training Camp among others.

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Similarly, Nigeria’s female wrestling team assistant coach, Happiness Burutu, was certified as Level 3 coach, a prerequisite knowledge that will aid her in effective coaching and mentoring of athletes and aspiring young coaches.

The statement described the passion and progressive inner desire of the CG and CDS as heartwarming and motivating, because it aligns with the vision of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to equip its officials and coaches the needed capacity at developing those around them.

The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali has lauded the exceptional display of Bayelsa contingents at the maiden Eng. Habu Gumel Weightlifting Open Championship in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Honourable Igali expressed satisfaction with the performance of the athletes

Team Bayelsa amassed total of 30 medals comprising 17 gold, 11 silver and 2 bronze to finish top of the final medal table.

 “I salute our gallant sportsmen and women who have performed exceptionally well in this championship,” he said. “Our athletes have showcased remarkable talent and resilience. This achievement exemplifies the spirit of excellence currently in Bayelsa and I applaud their dedication.”

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Igali who is a world and Olympic champion, expressed the state government’s commitment under the stewardship of His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri in providing the needed support and facilities for all to thrive.

“This display is a reflection of His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri’s drive to see that there is adequate provision and conducive environment for our sports men and women to thrive and he is ever committed,” Igali concluded.

Meanwhile, as Team Bayelsa emerged overall winner, Oyo came second with 9 gold and 3 bronze while Delta finished third cumulating 6 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze

The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, has commended Bayelsa United following their first away win of the current NPFL campaign.

Bayelsa United, away from home on Sunday, defeated Rivers United 1-0 in what was a South-South derby to reduce the pressure on coach Ladan Bosso, who was given a two-match ultimatum by the State Government to turn results around positively. 

He further  expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Prosperity Boys despite the pressure. 

Igali, who saw the game in Port Harcourt, assessed that the technical crew and players approached the game with a positive attitude and were resilient, thus the result.

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He said: “The one nil win against Rivers United was our first away win of the season and obviously our results haven’t been that spectacular which doesn’t portray the strength of the team so I think the team is now coming up on their own. You can see with just that win the team is fifth on the log, and we hope to keep the momentum.

“I was very pleased with the way our players played away from home, and I think if we can keep this spirit in our home games, we should be in a very respectable position in the League.”

Bayelsa United’s next two fixtures are against Kastina United in Yenagoa and a trip to 3SC of Ibadan.