All is now set for the smooth commencement of the 3rd Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics scheduled to be held from November 5th to 9th, 2024, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The event which is tagged “Preparing Champions for the Future” is being organized by the National Wrestling Federation in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex on Tuesday, Dr. Daniel Igali, President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, revealed that twenty-five teams will participate in the competition, along with several military and paramilitary organizations.
He also stated that over fifteen wrestling clubs across the country will also take part in the competition.
Igali, who is also Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, disclosed that a total of fifteen styles, ten weight classes, and five additional junior and cadet weight classes will be featured in each style.
He noted that the competition is expected to accommodate no fewer than eight hundred athletes and two hundred officials.
While maintaining that this year’s edition will be the best organized so far, the Olympics gold medalist recalled the achievements of wrestlers from the state and thanked Governor Douye Diri for his contributions to sports development in the state and country.
“Bayelsa alone has produced eighty-two gold medalists in Africa, and four Commonwealth gold medals from Bayelsa. We also have nineteen-time Olympians from Bayelsa.
“So, there is no sport that comes close to wrestling in terms of achievement. It is not a surprise that successive administrations have sponsored this competition for thirteen years in a row,” he said.
Igali also commended Mr. Ono Akpe, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup and consultant of the forthcoming wrestling competition, for his input and efforts ahead of the event.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa, thanked Igali for the efforts made so far to organize the event.
Alagoa assured participants and spectators to “expect the best” as the government will do all it can to make the event remarkable.
Dignitaries expected at the Classics include the Comptroller General of Customs, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Sports, inter alia.
