Bayelsa Sports Boss calls for inclusion of Traditional Wrestling 'Kuwa' and Canoeing in Ogun National Sports Festival

Posted : 14 March 2025

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, has called on the National Sports Commission and the Main Organizing Committee of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State to include traditional wrestling, known as "Kuwa," and canoeing as part of the events for the festival.

Igali made the call when he received Bayelsa athletes who represented Nigeria at the recently concluded 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, which was part of activities lined up to celebrate ECOWAS' 50th anniversary.

Igali commended the Bayelsa athletes for, once again, making the country proud after Ebi Biogos (76K) and Ebipadei Mughabofa (66K) each won gold for Team Nigeria while combining with their teammates to win two silver medals in team events.

Igali, who praised Nigeria's abundant talents in every sport, called on the National Sports Commission, led by proven sports administrators Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, to consider including traditional wrestling and canoeing in the events to be contested at the Sports Festival in Ogun State.

According to Igali, traditional wrestling is one of the local sports in the country and Africa that connects to our cultural heritage. Therefore, it deserves to be part of the events in the Nigerian version of the Olympic Games.

Additionally, the world and Olympic wrestling champion expressed shock at canoeing being excluded from the festival despite having qualified for the last two editions of the Olympics.

He described canoeing as one of the potential sports that can win Nigeria medals at the Olympics if properly encouraged and invested in.

While formally receiving the athletes, Igali said, "On behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, I receive you all with pride, celebrating what you have done. This clearly shows the focus of sports development in Bayelsa."

"Arising from that, it is a bit of an irony that Nigeria has hosted all of West Africa in traditional wrestling, and we don't have it in the next sports festival in Ogun State. My appeal to the National Sports Commission is that this is one cultural event that is relatable to virtually every culture and tribe in Nigeria," Igali said.

"Let me also use this opportunity to mention another sport—canoeing. This is one sport in which Nigeria has a good opportunity to win a medal at the next Olympics if we plan very early. Over the past Olympics, it has qualified athletes who have done very well and need to be encouraged by harnessing its potential," Igali added.

Igali concluded by appreciating the Bayelsa State Government, led by Senator Douye Diri, for massively encouraging sports development through the approval of funds to execute its programs.

Meanwhile, the Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, who is the overseer and principal director of the wrestlers, applauded them for representing the state and being good ambassadors of the Ijaw Nation.

Braveman noted that their triumph speaks volumes about the developmental policies of the Prosperity administration of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Bayelsa Sports Boss calls for inclusion of Traditional Wrestling 'Kuwa' and Canoeing in Ogun National Sports Festival

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