Sports Minister Host Victorious Wrestling, Rowing and Canoeing, commends  Athletes, Officials

…Tips Nigerian Wrestler to Shines in Toykyo 2020 

Also received are the officials and athletes of triumphant canoe team who shone like a million star at the just concluded Canoe Sprint Championship held in Bhopai, India.

To this end , Minister has predicted a successful outing for Nigerian wrestlers at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In his speech, Dalung noted that wrestling is proving to be one of the strongest sports in Nigeria adding that Nigerian wrestlers have distinguish themselves as a force to reckon with, thus giving the sport an enviable place of pride elevating the country’s image as a top wrestling Nation.

At the continental level, the Nigeria wrestling team placed first in Africa in overall African medals table during the 2015 all African Games held in Congo Brazaville.

In the same vein, the Federation dominated other African countries, particularly the women wrestling where they won the title as African champions at the 2018 African championships which Nigeria hosted for the first time. Furthermore, when Nigeria female wrestlers participated at the two-ranking series event in Germany and Bulgaria in February and March 2109 respectively, their performance was top-notch where Adeoye Adekuoroye was ranked 4th best wrestler in the World and first in Africa.

“The Nigerian wrestling team placed first in Africa on the overall medals table during the 2015 Africa Games held in Congo Brazzaville. Similarly, the Federation dominated other African countries, particularly in women’s wrestling, where they emerged African Champions at the 2018 Africa Championships which Nigeria hosted for the first time. When our female wrestlers participated in the two-ranking series events in Germany and Bulgaria in February and March 2019, their performances created an avenue for our star athlete, Adekuoroye Odunayo to be ranked 4th  in the world  and 1st  in Africa. This success, apart from writing a chapter in the annals of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation history, is an indicator of the possibility of an Olympic Medal in TokyoAlso, in canoeing at African Youth Games in Algeria in 2018, Nigeria topped the medals table for the sport of Canoeing and Kayak 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. Nigeria also won 3 gold and 1 silver medal at the West African Rowing Regatta.

The Federation recorded impressive performances in their international competitions for instance, two home based athletes qualified for the 2018 Youth Games in Argentina where Nigeria was ranked 7th in the world.

Dalung encouraged both Federations to continue to do Nigeria proud as he promised that Federal Government will not seize in discharging its own responsibility.