By Victor Kanayo
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has commenced a training camp for wrestlers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, who disclosed this, said the Federation has the mandate to ensure that Nigerian Wrestlers perform optimally in the Wrestling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This is as Nigeria’s Minister of Sports development, Senator John Enoh has told Federation Presidents that surpassing the 1996 feat is a must for the country.
Nigeria’s performance at the 1996 Olympics remains the best in the history of the games when Nigeria last won gold medal.
But the Minister while addressing Olympic-bound sports federations presidents, secretaries and technical directors in Abuja on Thursday said, “Surpassing our best Olympic performance is a goal that we should target to meet. We must build on our past successes and strive for excellence in Paris 2024.”
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The Minister emphasised that both domestic and international preparations are crucial for the success of Team Nigeria.
“The combination of domestic camping and foreign training tours is essential. It ensures our athletes are well-prepared and ready to compete at the highest level,” he added.
He said domestic camping will officially open this weekend in Abuja, Lagos, Bayelsa, and Ibadan,while foreign training tours will take place thereafter with the U.S., Germany, Spain, Italy, amongst top destinations pencilled down.
So far, 88 Nigerian Athletes have qualified for the Olympics, as many others are still in the qualification process.
On his part, NWF Igali told Heritage Times HT that “We have a mandate to ensure that we strive for podium finishes at the Olympics, that’s reason enough to put all machinery in place for optimum performance.”
A total of six athletes – five women and a male led by Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, Blessing Oborodudu will represent Nigeria in the Wrestling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Earlier in May, the federation sponsored a two-week camp for the wrestlers prior to Mercy Genesis’ participation at the World Wrestling Olympic qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey.
Wrestlers going for the Paris Olympics include Blessing Oboroduduin 68kg category, Odunayo Adekuoroye in the 57kg category, Ogunsanya Christinah in 53kg category and Esther Kolawole featuring in 62kg while in the 125kg category is Ashton Mutuwa – the only qualified male wrestler heading to Paris.
