Lagos – A professional wrestler, Peace Ikpide, has urged the media to give the same amount of coverage to other sports as it does to football.
Ikpide, who is the holder of the National Heavyweight wrestling title, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that if the media were to do that, other less popular sports would be embraced.
“The role of media is 98 per cent when it comes to the development of sport.
“Unfortunately the only sport the Nigerian media subscribe to is premier league football and that will not really develop other sports, not only just wrestling or other combatant sports.
“Professional sport is a sport that brings development in Diaspora, economically, socially and otherwise.
“So, government should not just concentrate more on football, which they are sponsoring.
“Develop every other sport and this will enable the youth to be meaningfully engaged, to
disassociate the youth from social vices.
“That is why the media which is the mouth piece of sports promotion should really come to the aid of developing sport.’’
Ikpide, who is also the Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) title holder, said he was ready to defend his title in the upcoming match against Marvelous Buffalo of Angola.
NAN reports that the bout is expected to hold on May 1 at the Asaba Township Stadium in Delta. (NAN)
