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Nigeria's Adijat Avorshai Idris wrestles Ukraine's Oksana Livach (red) in their women's freestyle 50kg wrestling early round match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on Friday August 6, 2021. Photo: AFP
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has called on the Federal Government to take sports development seriously following Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The world and Olympic champion criticised the “fire brigade approach” to tournaments, which he believes has contributed to the underdevelopment of sports across the country.
Igali emphasised the need for Nigeria to refocus on age-grade competitions if the country wants to excel in international events. He stressed that deliberate steps must be taken to eliminate age cheating, as it defeats the purpose of youth tournaments.
“To address this challenge, we must adopt a proactive approach. The government would have to take sports development seriously,” Igali said.
While commending the Delta State Government for hosting the Youth Games, Igali expressed displeasure over age-cheating in the tournament. He described the youth games as “the most important competition we have in the country today.”
The NWF president frowned at some states’ win-at-all-costs mentality, which he said discredits the efforts of others. He called for the encouragement of grassroots sports development at all levels.
The United World Wrestling member assured that he would remain involved in the Wrestling Federation’s activities, contributing to its growth and development even after leaving office after the end of his present tenure.
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