The newly appointed Chairman of the Medical and Doping Standing Committee in the Board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Okou Femedein Timipre, has expressed unwavering commitment following his appointment by the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Dr. Okou, in a statement, acknowledged the huge trust repose on him by the President, saying he is committed to giving his best and making a meaningful contribution to the Federation under the Customs boss leadership.
Dr Okou who is also a board member in the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, explained the goals and mission of the current board, through efforts in ensuring and monitoring effective implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code and its related International Scientific Standards.
The Executive Secretary, International Military Sports Council, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, acknowledged the task ahead as it affects the act of consuming artificial and often illegal substances to gain an advantage over others in sporting competitions.
However, Dr. Okou explained further that doping is viewed beyond taking substances as intelligence and investigations reveal that it involves unintentional violations.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the President for this rare privilege and kind gesture towards me and the board members of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to serve in this capacity. My committee and I are committed to serving with responsibility, dedication, and purpose.”
“On that noted, the Medical and Doping Committee has assembled and co-oped a team of professionals, including Exercise Physiologists, Sports Physiotherapists, Sports Psychologists, Researchers, Sports Pharmacists, and Sports Dietitians/Nutritionists into the Committee.”
“This multidisciplinary approach will ensure that our athletes receive comprehensive support for their health and training.” He said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Okou confirmed that the committee has also procured essential equipment such as Ultrasound, TENS (Combo), Hot and cold packs, Massage Gun, Resistance bands, Deep heat and cold sprays, Volini cream, Blood pressure apparatus and Storage bag among others to facilitate science-based training and promote clean sports.
Dr. Femedein Timipre Okou has solicited support for the candidacy of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF).
Dr. Okou, a member-elect of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, said with Adeniyi occupying the exalted position as the federation’s president , wrestling in Nigeria would get further boost.
He made the call while speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja en route to the United Arab Emirates where he is expected to deliver a lecture titled: “Optimizing Physical Training Protocols in the Military: Balancing Readiness with Injury Preventions” at the World Military Sports Science Symposium.
An Associate Professor, Okou noted that Adeniyi has proven beyond reasonable doubt the best candidate to lead the Nigeria Wrestling Federation in consolidating the progress of the current board.
“My endorsement of CG Adeniyi is built on expertise, passion and a deep understanding of wrestling’s intricacies. His leadership will foster a culture of excellence, fairness and development, ” he said. “I call on everyone to unite behind the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in empowering Nigerian wrestling for a brighter future,” Okou added .
The respected international wrestling referee also used the medium to advocate for the urgent review of the referee’s career path in the Nigeria Wrestling.
He opined that for Nigeria wrestling referees to gain global relevance and maintain domestic integrity, its electoral cycle must mark a turning point that is merit-based for referee development.
“Referees should be formally embedded in governance framework,” noted the Executive Secretary, International Military Sports Council ,Abuja. “This is not a luxury—it is foundational.
“Without trained, trusted, and professionally supported referees, the credibility of match outcomes, athlete confidence, and the overall integrity of the sport remain at risk.”
“More than ever, the future of Nigerian sports depends on inclusive governance that values every stakeholder—not just those at the top. At present, Nigeria’s wrestling referees ascend the ranks through domestic competitions under a loosely coordinated system. While individual initiatives—such as military sponsored trips and ad-hoc scholarships—have enabled some officials to attend international courses, these efforts lack a standardized, nationwide development plan.” Okou explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Okou , a member of the World Military Sports Science Commission, will aside delivering a keynote address, be playing several roles at the World Military Sports Science Symposium such as chairperson to the CISM international symposium 2025 taking place in the United Arab Emirates.
After nearly 12 years as President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, will bow out when the federation’s election is held in September. On the margins of the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State, the Bayelsa- born Olympic Gold medallist gives account of his stewardship plus his desire for a capable replacement amid other sundry issues in an exhaustive interview with TUNDE LIADI…
The President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation Daniel Igali believes the future of wrestling is well-secured as his future-driven board have put plans in motion to spot capable and budding wrestlers to replace aging ones without creating vacuum in the coming years.
Tokyo 2022 Olympic silver medallist, Blessing Oborodudu, recently retired after winning a gold medal in what was her final appearance on the wrestling mat the recently concluded National Sports Festival held in Ogun State while another serial national and continental champions, Odunayo Adekuoroye, is already planning for life after active wrestling.
On the margins of the Gateway Games Ogun 2024, Igali admitted would be difficult to replace the likes of Oborodudu and Adekuoroye, adding both wrestlers were special talents that do not show up all the time since the duo started winning laurels for Nigeria as teenagers in their weight classes for over a decade in Africa and the world.
“It will be tough to replace Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborodudu,” Igali told NationSport. “They are the type of athletes that come once in a generation.
These are athletes who started winning laurels for Nigeria at the African Championships when they were even below 20 years.”
Igali, an Olympic Gold medallist with Canada at Sydney 2000 Summer Games, said the Nigeria Wrestling Federation under his watch, knew both wrestlers would one day call it quit with the sport hence they started grooming replacements.
The Bayelsa-born administrator said that the steps taken to gradually replace aging wrestlers showed signs of positivity at the last African Wrestling Championship where Team Nigeria’s women won 9 gold out of the 10 in Morocco.
Recall that Nigeria went to the championship with 10 women and only one (Mercy Adekuoroye, Odunayo’s sister) that failed to win medal simply because she got injured before she could participate.
“We knew that time would come when the likes of Blessing and Odunayo would no longer be available and we started grooming athletes under them,” an excited Igali further said. “For instance, in the 57kg, the girl that was in Odunayo’s class, her younger sister, Mercy Adekuoroye got injured and could not participate but Blessing’s class we got an athlete that won a gold medal.
“This means we are getting there. We are hoping that in the next three years and before the Olympics, they would have fully fit in well into both weight classes.”
Igali, who will be bowing out as the NWF President before the end of the year, affirmed that he would still have loved to continue his good job at the helms of the federation but that he is statutes barred from contesting having run for three terms.
He affirmed that even though he is about to hand over to another elected President, he has no doubt that the incoming person would not deviate from the programmes he and the outgoing board began for the sake of continuity.
Igali said his successor has been carefully thought out and that he is confident he is leaving a federation that will ensure smooth transition of power and continuity giving a chance so that the successes recorded in the sport would continue to be consolidated.
He volunteered: “It is not that I voluntarily decided that I won’t be re-contesting. I am statutes’ barred from contesting. By the statutes given to us by the National Sports Commission, you can’t be president after more than three terms in office.
“Even though my International Wrestling Federation constitution doesn’t say that. The IWF constitution is now contemplating making it three terms of six years each which is 18 years for President of the body to linger in power before bowing out.
“So, I will be stepping down as President but I am confident we will have a very able successor who will carry on with the activities of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and who is also part of us. He will ensure that we grow rather than diminish.
“The whole board sat down and looked at it because succession plan is key. If you don’t plan well, your plans can be derailed by someone who thinks there is money in sports management.”
Igali admonished the incoming board to work at securing sponsorships to make the burden of governance and running of office to be seamless.
He noted that though Wrestling, Weightlifting and Taekwondo are among underrated sports in Nigeria, the new board must keep the flag flying to ensure that through their doings, they can attract sponsors.
“Some are even saying they would get corporate support in Nigeria to run the Wrestling Federation,” he further said.
“Unfortunately weightlifting, wrestling, taekwondo are the less heralded sports. They only know about us every four years when it is African Games, Olympics and Commonwealth Games because we will deliver the medals.
“But when it comes to funding from the corporate sector except you have a friend who is doing you a personal favour, they are not interested in funding Weightlifting, Wrestling and Taekwondo. They are interested in funding football and to a certain extent athletics.
“It is the cross we have to carry and we will do whatever we can to ensure that our sports get that prominence and it is evident by the medals we win for the country.”
The outgoing NWF President reeled out his achievements in office which is not limited to being the first President to win a world championship medal for Nigeria after over 30 years of existence and living the saddle with five World Championship medals.
Igali explained that before he came into the NWF as President, Nigeria had only won a gold medal in the sport at the Commonwealth Games but that after nearing 12 years in office the country has won 12 gold medals besides victories recorded at the African Games and African Championships.
“I will like to be remembered as the President who did things his way. Who came prepared, understood the challenges,” he continued. “By the time I came in in 2013, the Wrestling Federation was over 30 years old and I came in and I became the President that won the first World Championship medal and since then we have about five.
“When I came in, we had only won one gold medal at the Commonwealth Games but since then we have won 12. When I came in, in Africa we were not dominant in women’s Wrestling but only recently we won 9 out of the 10 gold medals on offer.
“I want to be remembered as the President who served selflessly and wrestling was better off when he left than when we met it.”
Meanwhile, Igali has equally shed lights on his dual role as the Commissioner for Sports in Bayelsa State, highlighting the Prosperity State’s quantum leap in sports is due to Governor Douye Diri’s unflinching support as well as the hard working officials with him.
The Olympian said the Bayelsa’s Governor’s antecedent as a former Commissioner for Sports, makes his work less strenuous even as he praised the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for his passion and cooperation towards sports development in the state.
“The luck I have as Commissioner of Sports is that the Governor Douye Diri was a former Commissioner for Sports as such, he understands all the intricacies in sports,” Igali said.
“I am not as unlucky like some other commissioners who would take memos to their master and have to explain. I have been commissioner for five years now and I do not remember a time I took a memo to my Governor where he cut it down by a Naira. He would rather ask if the amount would be able to do the job because he doesn’t want us to come back.
“This makes my job very easy. My Governor has made my job looks like a hobby. He also put together a very formidable team of administrators. My direct Supervisor is the Deputy Governor Sir Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who is probably even more fanatical than the Governor in the area of sports development. This is someone who knows the names of our top athletes. He knows the names of all our footballers and this also makes my job easier.
“I have perhaps one of the best Directors of Sports in the country, Braveman Wodi who I trust 100 percent and my Permanent Secretary, Grace Alagoa is fantastic. All my directors in the Ministry and in the Sports Council.”
Igali also hailed Governor Diri for always ready to reward excellence, adding medallists from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State as well as Bayelsa Queens, the winner of the 2014-25 NWFL Premiership title, are on the queue to be received by the sports-loving Governor.
He said: “Our Governor is one that rewards every high achievement and I think that has been one of the greatest things we have had in sports that will be bequeathed by the Governor. There is no competition we have gone where athletes have done well that the Governor has not failed to do the extraordinary for them.
“I am very confident that as soon as we return from the National Sports Festival, the Governor will host the victorious Bayelsa Queens team.”
Commenting on the reward system giving to NWFL Premiership champions, Bayelsa Queens, Igali commended the board of the NWFL but queried the rationale behind just 10 million Naira to the winner of the league when their NPFL counterparts will receive 200 million Naira for emerging as champions in the NPFL.
Igali noted that with the successes brought to Nigeria in major competitions and championships by the women, it is an insult to be offered such meagre amount for the champions of the women’s league.
“I must thank the sponsors and the NWFL, NFF for even considering prize money because I remember some years back there was no prize money at all. But that said, that the winner of the NPFL gets 200 million Naira while the winner of the NWFL Premiership gets 10 million Naira is shameful.
“It is something that needs to be immediately remedied and it should be done this year and not next year. You cannot tell me we are still living in the age where our female athletes should be subordinate to the male. Look at the results we have been getting.
“Some years back we went to the Commonwealth Games and the women won all the gold medals we got in Birmingham, England. There is no competition we go to that the women do not outdo or outperform the men. So, we cannot be talking in 2025 of such disparity. I just hope it is not true because 200 million Naira to 10 million Naira is what should not be considered at all,” he concluded.
President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Daniel Igali has assured that the Nations wrestlers will battle to the finish in their quest for glory in Morocco. While hinting that the team may not garner as many medals as it did at the last edition in Brazzaville, no effort however will be spared in trying to make the nation proud.
The federation according to him is constrained to take only 16 wrestlers out of 23 that are good to go as only those in the Olympic Games weight categories have been chosen. Reduction in the number according to him is sure to limit the level of medal haul but added that with determination those on parade will rise to the occasion.
“We are taking just 16 wrestlers to the event, we may not get as many medals as we did the last time but we will certainly do our best,” he enthused. The Sydney Olympics Gold medalist expressed hope that the contribution of the Wrestlers will as usual rub off positively on the final performance by Team Nigeria.
One of Nigeria’s hopefuls Odunayo Adekuoroye celebrates after beating an opponent
Wrestling has continued to be a major medal hopeful for Nigerian contingent to the African Games, the commonwealth Games among other meets.
Nigeria won the wrestling event at the Brazzaville 2015 with 19 medals, comprising 9 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals.
Recall that Team Nigeria finished overall second with 144 medals, 73 medals behind winners Egypt who led with 217 medals and 22 medals better than South Africa who finished third with 122 medals made up of 41 Gold 41 Silver and 40 Bronze. Nigeria will be participating in 23 sports at the Games in Morocco.
President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Hon.Daniel Igali, has called for assignment of sports portfolio to someone who will be a crusader for all sports and not a minister of football.
He made the call following the submission of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly Tuesday, by the President.
He opined that Nigeria would have indeed earned more fortune in sports over the years had she made deliberate effort to give other sports the same attention which football receives.
Taking to the social media the 2000 Sydney Lightweight Gold medalist said “Now that the 43 wise men have been nominated, Mr. President, please assign the portfolio of sports minister to someone who will be a Crusader for all sports and not only for the one elite sport. Someone who genuinely has passion for the upliftment of Nigerian sports “he said
Igali who has continued to ginger a lot of wrestlers in the country to aspire to greater heights, has since becoming the President for NWF ensured that Wrestling championships hold periodically to according to him ensure that our athletes remain in top shape ahead of international meets.
Igali only recently expressed optimism that Nigerian Wrestlers can garner as many as 10 Gold medals at the forthcoming 12th All-Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria won the wrestling event at the last All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo four years ago claiming 19 medals 9 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze.
Some sports fans in the country had in the past called for better attention for other sports noting that a lot of money has always been pumped into football related competitions while other athletes struggle to feature at international tournaments due to lack of funds.
The road to the podium for Team Nigeria at the 2019 African Wrestling Championship looks tortuous after the women team were handed a tough draw at the tournament holding in the tourist town of Hammamet in Tunisia.
In the draw made available to NationSport yesterday, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye will begin her title defence against Algeria’s Chaimaa Aouissi in the 57kg in her quest to retain her title.
Also in the 50kg, Mercy Genesis will slug it out with Tunisia’s Tiara Jaouadi while Rosemary Nweke will battle Algeria’s Ibdissem Doudou in the 53kg.
In the 55kg, Esther kolawole will take on Tunisia’s Faten Hammami while Ifeoma Nwoye confronts Tunisia’s Khouloud Ouni in the 59kg.
Another Commonwealth Games gold medalist – Aminat Adeniyi will also start her title defence against Egypt’s Gomaa Elkeliny in the 62kg. Sunmisola Balogun clash against Algeria’s Amel Hamiche in the 65kg, Hannah Rueben battles Tunisia’s Wiem Trabelsi in the 72kg while Blessing Onyebuchi will be on duty against Tunisia’s Rihem Ayari in the 76kg. Nigeria’s most successful female wrestler in the continent and eight-time African champion, Blessing Oborududu will square up against Chad’s Gassida Samia in the 68kg.
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Daniel Igali who was present at the draw told NationSport from Hammamet that it was a tough draw but is confident that the wrestlers would hold their own against others.
“Everything looks normal. For me, the tough draw is that person that has a Nigerian in their pool. I expect all of my wrestlers to do well. They are the defending champions after all,” Igali said.
He however lamented the absence of cadet and junior teams which he said would affect the country in future. “But I am very worried that in three to five years, we will be overthrown by the North African teams and South Africa. We neglect taking our cadet and junior teams to competitions,” the NWF boss lamented.
The men’s team made up of five in the freestyle and one in the Greco roman events will know their opponents today after the draws.
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.
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.
Team Nigeria may not have topped the overall medal table as the Commonwealth Games came to a close Sunday in Australia, but President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation Daniel Igali, says there is every cause to thank God describing the outing especially that of the wrestlers as impressive.
The Nigeria Wrestling Team accounted for 33.3% of the medals garnered by Nigeria at the just concluded Games raking in 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
An elated Igali whose federation has continued to receive commendation from far and near for constantly seeking ways of keeping the athletes busy round the year, expressed satisfaction with effort of the wrestlers selected to fly the nation’s flag declaring “So proud of this Team!
Nigeria finished 9th on the medals table with a total of 24 medals made up of 9 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze. Hosts Australia carted away the medals in basket with a total of 198 medals, 80 gold,59 silver, 59 bronze followed by England with 136 medals,45 gold,45 silver and 46 bronze. India, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Nigeria and Cyprus make up the top 10.
Five countries ended up gold less and silver less but had a bronze each to show for their participation in the 11-days games.
They are CookIslands, Ghana, NorfolkIsland, Seychelles and Solomon Islands.
Nigeria had 12 medals short of the feat recorded at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. At that edition, Team Nigeria finished 8th on the log with 11 gold, 11 Silver and 14 bronze.
While three African countries made it to the top 10 in 2014 namely South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, only South Africa and Nigeria made it to the top 10 in Australia. Kenya finished 14th this time with 4 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze.
Nigeria Wrestling Federation on Saturday organized seminar for Referees, Coaches and wrestlers on the new wrestling rules ahead of the Governor Nyesom Wike Wresting Challenge Cup which kicks off on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
President of the NWF, Daniel Igali and Chairman Nigeria Wrestling Referees Association, Usman Yusuf, tutored those in attendance at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Center on the new rules endorsed by United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling.
The new rules is expected to take effect from the 1st of January, 2018 and the NWF president believes it is better to apply some of the rules at the national championship in order for the coaches and athletes to get well-acquainted with them ahead of the Africa Wrestling Championship that will be hosted by Nigeria in February.
The coaches were given the opportunities to ask for various questions and were adequately enlightened.
Igali, who admitted that there might still be mistakes in the application of the new rules, warned the referees against witch-hunting any athlete.
“We are putting you through this new rules to ensure that the referees, coaches and wrestlers are on the same page.
“For the next five days, I know we will make mistakes. If a referee does something intentiona against an athlete, that referee will leave that mat immediately.
“If we make mistakes that is okay, but If there is gang up to favour an athlete against another athlete and I found out I will not take it lightly. If I am not there, I will see it in video replay.
“I will make sure that throughout my tenure such person does not officiate because we must take this things seriously. So I want to make it very clear and it is not a threat,” he warned.
The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung will commission the Dynamite Recreation Centre in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on Saturday, 11th March, 2017.
President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali who revealed this to NationSport said the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and President Nigeria Olympic Committee, Eng Habu Gumel will also be in attendance.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist said the centre is not only to bring up future athletes that will not only represent country in subsequent tournaments but win medals too.
Igali noted that future champions are made when the younger generations are interested in any sport of their choice.
“Future Champions are from recreation first of all, you have to fall in love with the sport. Secondly, take it seriously because the centre is for both beginners and experts in the sporting field”, Igali said.
Igali revealed that, “Because of what I’ve been able to become through wrestling, that is only worthwhile for me to put up a structure and recreational facility for younger kids to have the opportunity to practice their gifted sports.
“My existence is based on the profit made from wrestling as a sport. It is from physical exercise, recreation especially at the younger age can discover the hidden talents of these kids”, the Bayelsa legislator said to NationSport.
On national assignment, he explained that if there are tournaments around the corner, the facilities can be used to camp athletes before they are called fully to the camp in Abuja.
