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Tag: Daniel Igali

  • 2019 African Wrestling Championships: Ogbonna claims Nigeria’s sole gold in men event

    It took a cheer determination and grit from John Ogbonna to claim the only gold medal for Nigeria in the men’s freestyle event of the 2019 African Wrestling Championship which ended at the weekend in  Hammamet, Tunisia.

    Five Nigerian wrestlers competed in the men’s freestyle event while one battle for honours in the Greco roman event but late on the last day of the championship, Ogbonna fought against homeboy – Tunisia’s Maher Ghanmi and the encounter was as if the Nigerian was battling against the whole nation.

    But a determined Ogbonna who was not ready to submit his title in the 74kg was not intimidated by the noisy fans to turn the tide against the Tunisian.

    At the end of the tie, it was Ogbonna who laughed last to silent the home fans with 8-1 win over the Tunisian to claim the only gold medal won by Nigeria in the men’s event.

    Also, the duo of Ekerekeme Agiomor and Melvin Bibo settled for bronze medals in the 79kg and 86kg to add up to the number of medals won by Nigeria to finish with 63points as the fifth-placed team in the men’s event.

    Host – Tunisia dominated the men’s event with 183points with five gold medals while Egypt was second with 180points. Algeria and Morocco were third and fifth-placed teams with 117points and 90points respectively.

    The Nigeria female team retained their title with Odunayo Adekuoroye been adjudged the best wrestler of the tournament.

    However, President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali has lauded the team for the display. “We did very well as athletes competed with guts and desire.

    We had Sunmisola Balogun who just graduated from cadet to juniors and competed at her first Senior African championships and won a gold medal.

    But she had been exposed by the federation since last year to the cadet Africa championships, junior Africa Games, junior Olympics, cadet world championships and her first senior event at the national sports festival.

    In the space of about a year we exposed her to five international tournaments and we, therefore, have a gold medal from 18-year-old athlete in her first senior tournament.

    I doff my hat to the athletes and coaches for their doggedness and never-die fighting spirit,” Igali said.

  • 2019 African Wrestling Championships: Hope rises as NWF confirmed participation

    The doubt over Nigeria’s participation at the 2019 African Wrestling Championships holding in Tunisia has been laid to rest as the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali has confirmed that the country would be represented at the continental showpiece.

    Prior to yesterday’s confirmation from Igali, there were strong indications that the country would not represented at the African tournament following the unfriendly gesture from the Ministry of Sports.

    But this doubt has been quenched by the efforts of the federation to ensure that a strong team hoist the country’s flag at the tournament which kicks off on April 26 in Hammamet.

    According to Igali, it is certain that Nigeria will compete at the continental championship as efforts are on to purchase flight tickets for the athletes. He however, said that from the initial N320,000 budgeted for the ticket of each of the athlete, the fare has jerked up to N.5m following the late purchase of the tickets.

    Following this development, the NWF boss said that the list would be prune to accommodate the number of athletes that the funds available can catered for at the tournament.

    Also, the names of the wrestlers that will make the trip would be unveiled today by the federation as the team is expected to depart next week to Tunisia for the championship.

    NationSport learnt that Nigeria’s participation becomes necessary as the tournament serves as qualifiers for any team hoping to be part of the 2019 World Championship in Bulgaria comes July.

    Also the ranking points accumulated at the championship would give the wrestlers chance to improve their world rating as the top six ranked wrestlers in each weight category qualify automatically for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

    For now Odunayo Adekuoroye remains the only Nigerian wrestler in top six in any weight category in the world as the Ondo State-born athlete is ranked fourth in the women’s 57kg.

  • Commonwealth Games: wrestlers commend Gov. Dickson over rewards

    Welson Ebikewenimo, 2018 Commonwealth bronze medalist, and gold medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye, on Friday commended Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for hosting and rewarding Team Nigeria Wrestlers in Yenegoa.

    The wrestlers in separate interviews told our reporter on telephone from Ibadan that they appreciated the governor’s kind gesture.

    Ebikewenimo, who won silver at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, said the hosting of the wrestlers by the governor was a motivation to them, hence the governor deserved some accolades.

    He said the federation had been fantastic for over five years with outstanding performances at the World Championships, African Championships and other competitions preceding the Commonwealth Games.

    The Bayelsa-born wrestler said Gov. Dickson had justified his place in history as a sports loving governor, most especially to the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.

    “I’m proud to be associated with my governor, he recognised us after the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and now he has done same thing again.

    “I think the governor deserves some accolades. Over 15 wrestlers are employed under the Bayelsa State Government.

    “This alone tells the world that wrestling is part of the Niger Delta.

    “Every week, most local government organise traditional wrestling and most of us take part in this historic event to keep fit and it’s supported by the governor himself,” Ebikewenimo said.

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    He also commended the relentless efforts of the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, for the immense support for wrestling team and his promise to make the country proud subsequently.

    Two times Commonwealth Champion, Adekuoroye, said the act exhibited by Gov. Dickson showed him as a lover of wrestling.

    “His Excellency Seriake Henry Dickson the Governor of Bayelsa State thank you sir, I am completely overwhelmed”.

    “It really showed how much you love and care for sports people and youth in general, I greatly appreciate,” the Olympian said.

    Each gold medalist got N1.5 million, silver medalist got N1million, while the bronze medalist got N 700,000.
    The wrestlers who failed to win a medal were not left out as they got N500, 000 naira, while the coaching crew got N1million each.

     

  • Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    The maiden edition of Gov. Nyesom Wike National Wrestling Championships started on Sunday with 22 states participating.

    The states are Jigawa, Kano, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Niger, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Ogun, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi.

    Other participants includes the Nigeria Army, Mountain of Fire Ministries Wresting club and the Federal Capital Territory.

    All the participants at the Wike National Wrestling Championships converged on the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt the venue of the five-day competition.

    Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), told our correspondent that exciting dimension would be introduced in this tournament.

    “Every weight category event in a day will end at the quarter finals so that the remaining semi and final matches will be done the next day.

    “We are no longer finishing all weight categories in a day. I get a lot of questions from people on how all is been done in a day.

    “The essence of this is to make it more interesting and allow spectators to enjoy the games very well,” he said.

    The 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist, however, urged wrestling enthusiasts not to miss this one of a kind competition.

    “This competition is entirely different from what we used to have and it’s unique,” said Igali.

    The wranglers at the venue wore determined faces and ready to fight for spaces in the national team ahead of next years African Championships.

    NAN

  • Why wrestling dominated Nigeria Sports Award – Igali

    Why wrestling dominated Nigeria Sports Award – Igali

    President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali believes progress can only be achieved by sporting federations when there is provision of sport-specific infrastructure, funding of athletes to national camps, foreign training camps and competitions.

    Igali made the assertion in a chat with NationSport after Nigeria Wresting Federation stole the show at the Nigeria Sports Awards with three awards. Igali won the Sports Administrator of the Year; national female wrestling coach, Akuh Purity won the Coach of the Year, while World Wrestling Championship silver medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye was named Sport Woman of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.

    “The past few years has seen a steady rise in the profile of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. We are now perennial contributors of maximum medals at the continental and even intercontinental level. The Board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation is one of the most united and progressive boards in the country. Our athletes are the most loyal, dedicated, professional and patriotic athletes you can find anywhere on planet earth.

    “So I am not surprised that at the inaugural Nigeria Sports awards, wrestling won in three major categories: Female athlete of the year, Coach of the Year and Sports administrator of the year. I have no doubt that with more corporate funding opportunities, the Wrestling Federation can even be more productive.”

    Igali is, however proud for being voted as the Sports administrator of the year. “Yes, I am indeed pleasantly surprised that I was voted as the Sports administrator of the year. Knowing that we have some better known sports and the administrators are littered in every strata, it’s flattering that I was considered worthy of such an award.”

    “Over the past few days, so many congratulatory messages has been sent to me and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. Many have asked what’s behind this massive success. What people need to understand is that no Federation or Sports organization can make any meaningful progress without sponsorship. On this note, I want to thank the Governor and Government of Bayelsa State. Over the past few years, in addition to hosting an annual Governor Dickson Wrestling Classics, the Governor has spent tens of millions of Naira sponsoring national wrestlers to international tournaments. 

     “Without the resolve of the Governor to sponsor the Nigerian contingent to the Senior World Wrestling Championships in France last year, we would not be celebrating Adekuoroye as the athlete of the year and Purity Akuh as the Coach of the year. Governor Dickson not only hosts an annual Wrestling Championships, but is investing over a hundred million naira in building a dedicated wrestling gym, the first of its kind in the country. It’s only with the provision of sport-specific infrastructure and funding of athletes to national camps, foreign training camps and competitions that progress can be made in any sporting federation.

    “It’s also incumbent on the Wrestling Federation to thank the Government of Delta State for their support for the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. Over the last four years, the government of Delta State has hosted two national championships. Praise also has to be heaped on the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike who has shown firm commitment in hosting a National and Continental Championships in Port Harcourt. 

    “I am confident that the Gov. Wike National Wrestling Championships will be an annual feature. If we can get another corporate tournament next year, Wrestling will be in a good position to continually perform as one of the most consistent performers at the national level,” Igali told NationSport.

  • Igali promises to improve wrestling in Nigeria

    Igali promises to improve wrestling in Nigeria

    The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), Daniel Igali, on Thursday promised to help in improving the wrestling sport in the country, through improved refereeing and coaching. 

    Igali who is attending the ongoing United World Wrestling ( UWW ) Referees and Coaches Education Course at Manchester in the UK said he would do this by imparting knowledge.

    The Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist said participants in the course were being taught wrestling specific technical knowledge such as coaching, refereeing and safety rules updates.

    “It is a professional development course which commenced on Sunday and is expected to end on Saturday. It’s been such a demanding and rewarding experience,” Igali said in Abuja.

    He added that the course would be very handy ahead of the African Championship of February 2018.

    “The various officials of the game must be aware of the little changes in the elite sport.

    The UWW Referees and Coaches Education Course is a seven-day event.

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  • Nigeria’s athlete elected into United World Wrestling Commission

    Nigeria’s athlete elected into United World Wrestling Commission

    Nigeria’s most decorated wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has been elected into the United World Wrestling ( UWW ) Athletes Commission.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an election was held at the just-concluded World Wrestling championships in France.

    Adekuoroye was among the seven people elected to represent the interest of athletes in the UWW.

    Daniel Igali, President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), told NAN that Adekuoroye clinching of a silver medal at the world championships contributed to her election into the commission.

    “She was the first Nigerian to win a silver medal at the world championships, thereby surpassed fellow Nigerian, Ifeoma Ihenacho who won bronze medals in 2009 and 2010, respectively,’’ he said.

    Igali, a Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold medallist for Canadian, said Adekuoroye is currently one of the most accomplished female wrestlers on the world stage.

    “The election took place at the last world championships.

    “The NWF had no reservations in forwarding her as a candidate for the athletes commission position and we were not disappointed.

    “This shows the steady progress we are making as a federation in all facets of sports development.

    “We hope Adekuoroye will make valuable contributions to the athletes commission and in uplifting the welfare of athletes on the world stage,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Adekuoroye, the Commonwealth gold medallist, has commended the leadership of the NWF for nominating her to serve on the world body.

    “Honestly, I am very delighted that the NWF nominated me and with the recognition by UWW, it is a great privilege for me to serve.

    “I am excited because my president and my coach have always believed in my capabilities to excel. They are a veritable source of encouragement to me,’’ she added.

  • Paris-bound Nigerian wrestlers to leave on Monday

    Paris-bound Nigerian wrestlers to leave on Monday

    Reprieve has finally come the way of the Nigerian contingent to the World Wrestling Championships in Paris, France, who had flight delay as they will now depart on Monday evening aboard Air Ethiopia.

    The contingent had experienced flight delay in the hands of Air Maroc in the early hours of Monday and had to find an alternative.

    The three, according to the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, they are to weigh-in for the competition on Tuesday afternoon.

    Igali told NAN on the telephone from Paris that when the wrestlers got to the airport in the early hours of Monday, they were told that Air Maroc had a defective aircraft on Sunday.

    He said that because the aircraft was small, it only picked a few passengers for Sunday, leaving those for 4 a.m. flight on Monday stranded.

    However, in a twist of events, the NWF said it had secured four tickets aboard Ethiopia Airlines aircraft to convey some of the country’s contingent to the championships.

    Igali told NAN on the telephone from Paris that three wrestlers and a coach would now travel on Monday evening.

    “We have been able to get four new tickets on Ethiopia Airlines for them. They should hopefully arrive in Paris by 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

    They will undergo a weight exercise tomorrow compete on Aug. 23.

    NAN reports that six wrestlers, including four females and two males will represent the country at the competition.

    The male wrestlers are Amas Daniel (65kg) and John Emmanuel (70kg), while the female are Blessing Oborududu (63kg), Adekuroye Odunayo (53kg), Mercy Genesis (48kg), and Aminat Adeniyi (58kg).

    The wrestlers are being tutored by the head coach of NWF, Victor Kodei and a female coach, Purity Akuh.

    The competition began on Monday which is for arrivals and end Aug. 26.

  • Igali returns as President of Wrestling Federation

    Igali returns as President of Wrestling Federation

    Daniel Igali returned on Tuesday in Abuja as the President of Nigerian Wrestling Federation, while F.A.B Adenekan emerged the Vice-President at the national sports federations elections.

    Igali, who was the immediate-past president of the federation, got 43 votes in his own elections, while Adenekan emerged unopposed as the vice-president.

    Other elected members include: Alber Atiwurcha, Zonal Representative (North-East) and Chinonye, Zonal Representative (South-East).

    The rest are Christopher Amkpila, representing North-Central, and Habeeb Abubakar, representing North-West.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Igali and Adenekan represented South-South and South-West respectively before contesting for the executive offices on the board.

  • African Wrestling Championships: Team Nigeria return with 8 gold, 2 silver

    African Wrestling Championships: Team Nigeria return with 8 gold, 2 silver

    NIGERIA wrestling contingent to the 2017 Senior African Wrestling Championships in Marrakech, Morocco returned to the country on Monday with a total of 10 medals consisting of eight gold and two silver medals.

    Out of the medals, the female wrestlers accounted for eight (six gold and two silvers) while their male counterpart won the remaining two gold medals.

    Olympian and All Africa Games champion, Mercy Miesinnei Genesis recorded three falls and a technical fall to win the gold medal in the 48kg.

    World No 7, Odunayo Adekuoroye, a 2015 world bronze medalist, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medalist, did not disappoint as she won gold in the 55kg.

    Aminat Adeniyi followed in the same direction by winning gold in the 58kg, so also Gofit Winnie, who won gold in the 75kg.

    Blessing Oborududu and new entrant, Kemeasuodei Dressman also gave Nigeria gold medals in the 69kg and 63kg respectively.

     

    Two other wrestlers, Bisola Makanjuola and Bose Samuel won silver medals in the 60kg and 53kg respectively.

    John Emmanuel defeated Maher GHANMI of Tunisia by 5-2 in the finals of the 70kg male freestyle category, while Soso Tamara completed the gold rush for Nigeria.

    However, the upset of the tournament is the failure of Olympian Amas Daniel, Welson Ebikewenimo (Commonwealth silver medalist) and All Africa Games gold medalist, Melvin Bibo and Praize Micheal 80kg to win medals of any color, while Praize Micheal 80kg could not pull a surprise in his first ever international appearance as he won one match and losing three.

    Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali has described the performance of the wrestlers as outstanding, considering the paucity of funds available during their preparations for the competition.

    Igali who was with the team in Morocco believes with sponsorship, the wrestlers can win medals at the 2020 Olympics.

    “I have to commend these wrestlers for putting up such performance and I am proud of them considering their preparations and circumstances surrounding the release of funds for the competition.

    “These wrestlers are outstanding. If we secure sponsorship for the wrestling team, medals in 2020 will be assured”, Igali said in a chat with Sportinglife.