Organisers say 800 athletes, coaches, officials, to participate in 3rd Gov Diri National Wrestling Classics

Posted : 23 October 2024

Over seven hundred and fifty athletes and coaches from the thirty-six states of the federation will compete for glory in the 3rd Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, gave this hint in Yenagoa ahead of the championship.

He said the championship would take place from Nov. 3 to 10, while the wrestling events will be held from the 5th to the 9th of next month. He stated that the Gov. Douye Diri Wrestling Classics remains the longest wrestling tournament in the country.

The commissioner explained that the federation has received confirmations from over twenty states, including military and paramilitary organizations, and over fifteen clubs have also expressed interest in this year's championship.

Dr. Igali noted that this year's edition would feature improved organization compared to the previous one, due to the high level of enthusiasm and interest from the participants, especially after the nation's disappointing performance at the last Olympic Games in Paris, France.

He stated that the 3rd Gov. Douye Diri Wrestling Classics would include freestyle, Greco-Roman, female styles, and senior wrestling, explaining that both freestyle and Greco-Roman will have ten weight classes each, with the inclusion of five junior and cadet classes, making a total of forty-five weight classes.

While appreciating Governor Douye Diri for his unwavering support toward the development of sports over the last four years, the Olympian noted that Bayelsa remains the most successful wrestling state in the country, having produced eighty-two gold medals at the continental level.

He further explained that Bayelsa has eighty-two African champions from the state, making a total of one hundred and thirty-eight medals won by Bayelsans at the African level, with four Commonwealth gold medalists, an Olympic silver medalist, and a 19-time Olympian from Bayelsa, describing the state as the home of wrestling.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa, said Nigerians should expect the best of wrestling at this year’s championship.

The Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, opined that the championship is an excellent platform to prepare the athletes for the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association said he is happy to collaborate with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to positively engage the youths through sports.

Organisers say 800 athletes, coaches, officials, to participate in 3rd Gov Diri National Wrestling Classics

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