Gov. Diri Wrestling Championships lighten Yenagoa, as wrestlers compete for honours

Posted : 07 November 2024

The Bayelsa State government says it is pleased with the continuous progress of the Governor's National Wrestling Classics and the 3rd Gov. Douye Diri Wrestling Championship over the last three editions.

Governor Douye Diri made this known at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

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Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhurdjakpo, said the hosting of the championship was no accident and that Bayelsa has a tradition of dominance in wrestling, which dates back to the old Rivers State.

The governor noted that Bayelsan wrestlers, such as Jackson Bidei, Victor Kodei, Macauley Appah, and Irigha Eferebo, have made Rivers State proud on the global stage. He emphasized that the government uses sports as a tool for crime control.

According to him, the purpose of hosting the tournament goes beyond winning laurels; it serves as an avenue for wealth creation. He also stressed that drugs and sports do not go together, and that the Bayelsa State government is committed to the development of sports.

The governor further stated that the state's goal is to see more wrestlers like Daniel Igali and Blessing Oborududu rise from Bayelsa and triumph in international tournaments, noting that the prosperity administration has no regrets about investing heavily in sports.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and the Commission for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, commended the government for its immense contribution to the progress of wrestling over the past twelve years.

He stated that this tournament is the longest-running competition in any sport hosted by a state government, and that this is a result of the love and support the government has shown for sports, particularly wrestling, over the years.

Igali also noted that the achievements of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation would not be possible without the support of the Bayelsa State government, emphasizing that the federation has achieved more than any other in the country.

Meanwhile, the 3rd Gov. Diri Wrestling Classics entered its second day with Christian Ogwusoya from Ondo State winning gold in the women’s 53kg category, Eswi Ayo from Edo State taking second, and Happiness Soso from Delta claiming bronze.

Adijah Idris of Rivers won gold in the 55kg women’s wrestling, with Tarilayefa Bekefula finishing second, and Joseph Ozioma of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps taking third.

Godday Eseimokumoh of Bayelsa secured gold in the 97kg category, with Edo State’s Bradford Gbaluimi in second, and Ezekiel Appah of Rivers finishing third. Kuro Agustine from Delta took first place in Greco-Roman, with Ipalibo Somina and Odum Alokariton finishing second and third in the 130kg category.

Burutu’s Preye Dike finished first in the 52kg Greco-Roman, with Cross River’s Usani Bassey taking second, and third place going to Ebi Sambo of Bayelsa. In the 97kg Greco-Roman, Shadrack Hunu of the Nigeria Police Force finished third.

In the 125kg freestyle, Progress Benson from Rivers claimed first place, with Bayelsa’s Zikenna Amen in second, and Maltida Doueridei in third.

The 3rd Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics continues on day three, with the championship expected to climax on Saturday in Yenagoa.

Gov. Diri Wrestling Championships lighten Yenagoa, as wrestlers compete for honours

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