By: Oluwaseyi Oduneye
Lagos – The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) on Tuesday assured that Nigeria would participate in the forthcoming World Wrestling Championships in Paris, France.
The NWF President, Daniel Igali, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on telephone that the worst that could happen was to reduce the number of wrestlers that would represent Nigeria.
“Instead of all the wrestlers to miss the tournament, we will take just a few due to lack of funds.
“We can’t afford not to be in Paris, it’s the World Championships we are talking about. We are still sourcing for funds.
“It’s barely six days to the tournament and all doesn’t look fine yet, but I believe we will eventually find a way around the whole thing,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Nigeria won a bronze medal through Adekuoroye Odunayo in the 53kg class at the last edition of the World Championships which held in Las Vegas, U.S.
In the upcoming edition, Adekuoroye will be competing in the 55kg class.
Igali, who was a gold medalist in his active days at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, told NAN that the wrestlers selected were primed to perform creditably.
NAN reports that six wrestlers were billed to compete in the championships scheduled to hold from Aug. 21 to Aug. 26.
The wrestlers are currently camped in Yenegoa, under the tutelage of their coach, Purity Akuh. (NAN)