800 Athletes,Coaches and Officials to Participate in 2nd Gov Diri National Wrestling Classics
By Hananeel Jackson
Over seven hundred and fifty athletes and coaches from thirty states in Nigeria will jostle for glory in the 2nd Governor Diri wrestling classics in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Chief Daniel Igali gave the hint at a press conference held in Yenagoa ahead of the championship.
He said the championship would commence from 4th to 10th of August, 2023, teams would arrive on the 4th, 5th for accreditation of athletes and officials, while the event will officially start from 6th to 10th of August.
The commissioner explained that about 800 athletes, coaches and officials from thirty states and twenty clubs are expected for the fiesta, noting that the military and Para military would also participate in the competition.
Igali noted that the governor wrestling classics would help to select the wrestling team that would represent the nation in the 2024 Olympics games in Paris, France, adding that the first phase of the qualifiers would come up by September in Serbia.
He pointed out that the top five athletes in the world championship in Serbia would automatically qualify for the games in Paris; saying that he was elated with the positive advert sports has given to Bayelsa State.
The Olympian asserted that the governor Diri wrestling classics would be the 7th national event that Bayelsa would be hosting this year describing the State as the latest capital of sports in Nigeria.
While thanking the media for their endless support,Igali acknowledged governor Douye Diri and Deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for their undiminished passion for sports development.
Also,12 time African Champion and Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborududu, said Nigerians should expect a great championship.
In attendance were Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Mrs. Grace Alagoa, Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi, Board member Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Mr. Jackson Bidei, Chairman Bayelsa Table Tennis Association and South South Zonal Representative in the Board of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade and others.
